Thursday, February 2, 2017

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Two of the GNAC’s top softball returners are among 50 players considered early contenders for Division II Player of the Year by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

Concordia senior outfielder Meghan Luebbert and Central Washington senior first baseman Kailyn Campbell are listed among those in early contention for the NFCA/Schutt Sports Division II National Player of the Year.

Lubbert was named the 2016 GNAC Softball Player of the Year and was also selected as a CoSIDA Division II Softball Academic All-American. She led the conference with her .456 batting average, .497 on-base percentage and a .857 slugging percentage. Luebbert also finished the regular season as first or tied for first in the GNAC in hits (83), runs (59), doubles (17), triples (four) and home runs (16). She also had 27 multi-hit games and at one point during the season had a 19-game hitting streak.

Campbell helped lead Central Washington to the 2016 GNAC championship and a spot in the NCAA super regionals. A First Team All-GNAC selection, Campbell earned Third Team D2CCA All-American honors after she finished with a .446 batting average, 58 runs, nine RBIs and a .653 slugging percentage. Campbell became CWU’s career leader with 140 RBIs and enters the 2017 season tied for the CWU career record with 206 hits.

Both Concordia and Central Washington will open the 2017 season this weekend at the Desert Stinger in Las Vegas, hosted by Montana State Billings. The Cavaliers start with games against Cal Baptist and Stanislaus State on Friday while Central Washington opens against Sonoma State and Cal Baptist.