Grizzlies dominate All-KJCCC honors with seven first-teamers

The Butler softball team dominated the 2013 All-KJCCC Division I selections, as voted on by the coaches. The Grizzlies had seven first-team selections, including sophomore pitcher Maggie Ham, who was named the Most Valuable Player. Butler catcher Kate James was named Freshman of the Year, while head coach Doug Chance won his sixth Coach of the Year award.

In addition to Ham and James, Butler had five other sophomores receive first-team honors: shortstop Ashley Malone, third baseman Kaitlyn Wolken, utility player Kelsey Berlin and outfielders Sydney Stuever and Dominica O'Nelio.

The Grizzlies (48-2 overall, 16-0 conference) are currently ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA Division I poll and won their third straight Region VI championship Sunday. Butler will play in the District E championship at Region XI champion Otero (Colo.) in a best-of three series beginning with a Thursday doubleheader.

Among all KJCCC Division I pitchers in conference games, Ham led in wins (8), ERA (0.39) and strikeouts (62). In 26 starts, Ham has compiled a 26-1 record with a 1.36 earned-run average and 243 strikeouts. She has pitched 144.1 innings and given up just 73 hits and 35 runs.

James currently holds the Butler school record with 22 home runs and is hitting .441 with 70 runs batted in. In 16 conference games this season, James hit .521 and led the KJCCC with 10 home runs and 32 runs batted in.

Malone and Wolken were both second-team All-Conference selections last year. Malone is currently the Grizzlies' third best hitter with a .445 average and is second behind James on the team with 16 home runs and 55 RBI. Wolken is hitting .423 with nine home runs and 53 runs batted in. Berlin is one of four players that has participated in all 50 games and is hitting .409 on the season. Stuever and O'Nelio, who have hit 1-2 in the lineup for most of the season, are tied for the top batting average (.467). Stuever also leads Butler in hits (70), stolen bases (31) and doubles (15).

Butler also had three players selected to the second team, including sophomore pitcher Mac Millspaugh, who is 16-0 on the season with a 1.23 ERA. Millspaugh has 109 strikeouts in 91 innings pitched. Millspaugh was co-MVP and Freshman of the Year last year. Freshman Ashton Atwell (first base) and Tyler Casada (second base) also were named to the second team. Atwell has a .443 average with 13 home runs, 38 RBI and stole 15 bases, while Casada is hitting .310 with 27 runs batted in.

Butler had 10 total selections, while Seward County had seven and Colby had two. Garden City and Barton did not have any selections.