May 7, 2009

Contact: Brian McCann

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Christa Coppus earned first team honors for the third straight year and Amanda Macenko repeated as Horizon League Pitcher of the Year as part of awards annual Horizon League Softball awards, that were given out during the annual banquet held on Wednesday night.

Six Vikings received honors this year. Coppus and Macenko wwere selected to the 12-player all-league first team with seniors Amanda Houchin and Shalyn Adams and junior Lia Gordon being tabbed for the all-league second team. Junior Mimi Mahon, who joined the team this year after two seasons at Rio Grande, was the lone Viking named to the all-newcomer team.

"I am happy for all of our student-athletes who received awards tonight," CSU head coach Angie Nicholson said. "They have worked so hard and sacrificed so much so that we could be successful as a team that it is right that they receive some individual recognition."

Coppus receives the all-league honor for fourth time, picking up second team accolades in 2006 and first team kudos in each of the last three seasons. She has started all 195 games in her career, holding CSU career records for runs (122), hits (214), doubles (47), RBIs (130) and homeruns (21). She hit .329 this spring, leading the team with 37 RBI and 31 runs scored and ranking second with nine home runs.

"Christa had been the backbone of our offense for so long that you almost take her production for granted. She I simply one of the best players to ever wear a Viking uniform," Nicholson said.

Macenko also earned second team honors as a freshman and first team accolades in each of the last two years. She was 24-11 with a 2.52 ERA this season, striking out 224 batters. She was even better in league play, going 15-4 with a 1.40 ERA.

"Amanda struggled a little bit at the start of the year because she was pitching with a virus that left her weak. Once she got over it, she pitched like she did in the past and is one of the main reasons why we were 17-5 in league play," Nicholson said.

After hitting just .137 in 23 games last year, Gordon has rebounded to set the CSU single season record with 13 home runs this season. She is among the league leader with a .333 batting average, scoring 23 runs with 34 RBI.

Houchin, a first team honoree two seasons ago, returns to the all-league team for the second time. She played at both second and third base this year, hitting .328 with 20 runs scored and 26 RBI.

The honor for Adams caps a brilliant senior season that has seen her go from a seldom-used reserve in 2008 to being the backbone of the CSU outfield. She hit .324 with 16 RBI and 11 runs scored. She was even better in league action, leading the team with a .380 average.

"All three of our second team players each came back this year after being unhappy with the way they played last season and did something about it. Lia was sick for most of the year and fell out of the lineup while Bear (Houchin) just didn't hit like the way she did the year before," Nicholson said.

"I couldn't be happier for Shalyn (Adams). She has worked so hard to find a place for herself in the lineup and when the opportunity came, she took advantage of it."

Mahon has been the Vikings; true utility player, earning starts at catcher, first base, third base, right field and designated player. She hit .314 with 16 runs scored and 13 RBI.

"Mimi's versatility has really helped the team out this year," Nicholson said. "She is solid offensively but by being able to use her at a number of positions, she has come through when injuries have limited us at times this year."

The Vikings, who set a league record for league victories in a season with 17 this year, open Horizon League Championship play against Butler on Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

2009 Horizon League Awards

First-Team All-League
Sarah Clynes, UIC - OF/P (Sr.)
Christa Coppus, Cleveland State - SS (Sr.)
Allison Cox, Wright State - DP/P (Jr.)
Brooke Frydendall, UIC - SS (Jr.)
Louie Haney, Wright State - 3B (So.)
Ashley Hewett, UIC - P/OF (Fr.)
Amanda Macenko, Cleveland State - P (Jr.)
Kristen Medrud, Loyola - 1B (Jr.)
Bridget Paine, Butler - SS (Jr.)
Justine Shilt, Wright State - 2B (So.)
Ellen Sinclair, Detroit - 3B (So.)
Sara Strickland, Valparaiso - 2B (Fr.)

Second-Team All-League
Shalyn Adams, Cleveland State - OF (Sr.)
Alex Boros, Butler - 2B (Sr.)
Kristen Bradshaw, Wright State - SS (Jr.)
Lia Gordon, Cleveland State - DP (Jr.)
Jenna Grim, Loyola - C (So.)
Krissy Hanson, Green Bay - INF (Jr.)
Amanda Houchin, Cleveland State - 3B (Sr.)
Kim Klonowski, Youngstown State - 1B (So.)
Karen Korb, Valparaiso - OF (Sr.)
Sharon Palma, Wright State - P (Jr.)
Amy Solava, Loyola - P (Jr.)
Ashley Wolter, Valparaiso - OF (Sr.)

All-Newcomer Team
Lauren Arceneaux, Loyola - 3B (Fr.)
Erin Falkenberry, Butler - 1B (Fr.)
China Frost, Wright State - 1B (Fr.)
Ashley Hewett, UIC - P/OF (Fr.)
Joylyn Ichiyama, Valparaiso - DP (Fr.)
Melinda Macias, UIC - OF (Fr.)
Mimi Mahon, Cleveland State - Util. (Jr.)
Sara Strickland, Valparaiso - 2B (Fr.)
Mallory Winters, Butler - C (Fr.)

Player of the Year
Sarah Clynes, UIC

Pitcher of the Year
Amanda Macenko, Cleveland State

Newcomer of the Year
Sara Strickland, Valparaiso

Coach of the Year
Michelle Venturella, UIC