Four Willamette Softball Players are Easton/NFCA Scholar-Athletes for 2017-18

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Four players on the Willamette University softball team have been chosen Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes for the 2017-18 season. A total of 6,280 softball players competing at the NCAA, NAIA, or junior college level received Scholar-Athlete honors, led by 1,600 players from Willamette and other NCAA Division III colleges and universities. Athletes qualified for the award by achieving a 3.5 or higher grade point average in 2017-18.

Willamette softball players earning NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete recognition were Danielle Koontz (Fr., 2B, Cupertino, CA/Monta Vista HS), Olivia Scott (So., C, San Francisco, CA/Lowell HS), Maya Shipway (So., 1B, Bothell, WA/The Bear Creek School) and Kaitlyn Wells (Fr., UT, Happy Valley, OR/Clackamas HS).

Note:  Year listed is for the 2017-18 season

NFCA All-America Scholar-Athletes

Danielle Koontz (Fr., 2B) hit .232 as a freshman last spring, while scoring 10 runs and recording three doubles and one triple. Koontz earned a .304 slugging percentage, walked 12 times, and finished the season with a .369 on-base percentage. She was 5 of 6 on stolen bases. She started 29 games for the Bearcats.

Olivia Scott (So., C) started all 35 games. She recorded eight runs and eight hits. She was 8 of 11 on stolen bases. Scott earned a .943 fielding percentage on defense, and ranked second on the team with 115 putouts.

Maya Shipway (So., 1B) played in 30 games with 29 starts for the Bearcats. She batted .233 with 13 runs and 14 RBIs. She pounded out five doubles and two home runs. She recorded a .384 slugging percentage. Shipway led Willamette with 181 putouts on defense, while attaining a .974 fielding percentage.

Kaitlyn Wells (Fr., UT) played in 12 games with two starts as a freshman in 2018. She achieved a .267 batting average and hit one double. She provided depth at several positions.