Softball earns six All-Independent selections

ORANGE, Calif. – The Chapman University softball team had six players named to the 2010 All-Independent softball team as announced by the Association of Division III Independents on Thursday. The awards included three Panthers – seniors Dani Brown, Melanie Villarroel and freshman Kerry Peterson – who earned first team honors.

Senior RHP Ally Waffle and freshman RHP Sarah Solis were named to the All-Independents second team, as well as sophomore DP Jayme Jarvis.

Villarroel was Chapman’s team MVP in 2010 with a team-best .363 batting average, seven doubles, six stolen bases and 12 RBI. The senior, who was named to the All-Independents team all four years of her career, committed just two errors at second base and recorded a .986 fielding percentage this season. She is Chapman’s all-time leader in fielding for second basemen.

At first base, Brown locked up her second honor in as many years. The senior tied for the team lead with four home runs and led the Panthers with a .526 slugging percentage and 26 RBI to go along with a .316 average. Peterson, a freshman outfielder, batted .344 with 20 RBI and a team-high 12 extra-base hits.

Second team honors went to Chapman pitchers Waffle (7-5, 3.28 ERA, 48 Ks) and Solis (5-9, 2.28 ERA, 67 Ks) – first time selections for both. Jarvis, who was named to the All-West Region team last month, also earned a second team selection with a .282 average, four HR and 14 RBI.

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 14 Division III independent institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions, and to provide exempted postseason championship competition. The Association recognizes outstanding athletic achievements of its student-athletes on a weekly, monthly and annual basis.

by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director