For the second straight season, Nebraska Wesleyan University pitcher Alysia Wittmaack was named the Association of Division III Independents (AD3I) Pitcher-of-the-Year when the All-Independent teams were announced.  Joining Wittmaack on the AD3I First-Team were pitcher Abby Wilmes, shortstop Lauren Bodfield, and outfielder Dani Bryant. First baseman Marcia Kennedy and utility player Krista Wearden were selected to the All-AD3I Second-Team.

Wittmaack, a junior from Lincoln, Neb., was named the pitcher of the year for the second straight year after she went 18-5 with a 2.25 earned-run average with two saves.  She recorded 142 strikeouts with only 23 walks.  Her 18 wins were a new school record and she also now holds the career record with 39 wins.  She already has shattered the school strikeout record with 453.

Wilmes (Fr., Lincoln, Neb.) had a very solid first season on the mound for NWU.  Wilmes was 8-4 with a 2.20 ERA with two saves.  She recorded 91 strikeouts in 89 innings of work.

Bodfield (Fr., Lincoln, Neb.) led the team with a .563 slugging percentage. She hit .383 with three home runs and a team-high 31 RBI.  She also led the squad with 10 doubles.

Bryant (So., Lincoln, Neb.) earns her second straight All-AD3I honors.  Bryant led the team in hitting with a .387 average and 55 hits.  She set a new school record with 45 stolen bases, which ranked in the top five in the country.  Her 56 career stolen bases also are a new school record.

Kennedy (Jr., Omaha, Neb.) is now a three-time All-AD3I recipient.  She was First-Team in 2009 and Second-Team in 2008. Kennedy batted .310 with a team-high five home runs and 29 RBI this season.

Wearden (Fr., Fontanelle, Neb.) served as the NWU catcher and designated hitter in her first season.  She batted .333 with a home run and 14 RBI.

The Association of Division III Independents consists of 14 DIII institutions that have joined together to recognize student-athletes at independent institutions and to provide exempted postseason championship competition in seven sports.

Nebraska Wesleyan finished the season with a 27-14 record, the second most wins in school history.

NWU All-Independent Team Selections

First Team

Alysia Wittmaack, P, Lincoln, Neb.

Abby Wilmes, P, Lincoln, Neb.

Lauren Bodfield, SS, Lincoln, Neb.

Dani Bryant, OF, Lincoln, Neb.

Second Team

Marcia Kennedy, 1B, Omaha, Neb.

Krista Wearden, UT, Fontanelle, Neb.