2000 Final Season Record: 35-5 Southwestern Division 27-3 - Champion
2000 NWAACC Conference Champions
National Fastpitch Coaches Association
NWAACC All American Team:
Misty Velke
Cara Reid
NWAACC All-Tournament
Misty Velke - MVP
Michaela Willet
Allison Hall
Katy Myers
Courtney Ludwig
Tim Mackin - NWAACC Conference Coach of the Year
South-West League All Stars
Misty Velke - Most Valuable Pitcher
Michaela Willet - 1st Team
Katy Myers - 1st Team
Cara Reid - 1st Team
NWAACC Final Coaches Poll - Lower Columbia - FIRST
NWAACC Cross-Over Champions
Looking at the 2000 version of the Lady Devil Softball team there is both good news and bad news. The good news is that the team is coming off a second NWAACC Championship; the bad news is that the majority of the team graduated.
However, this isn't consider a rebuilding year, but a reloading year. The coaches are very excited about the team they have assembled. There are only five returning players from last year's team, thus they have greeted many new faces.
The highlight of this year's recruiting class is a local young lady from RA Long High School who has returned home. Misty Velke decided to return to the area after playing a year of Division I Softball at University of San Diego, where she was named WISL All Conference as the top pitcher in the league and was also named Most Valuable Pitcher of the conference. The team is feeling very fortunate to have her in the program.
Lady Red Devils return the other half of the championship battery, as Cara Reid will again be the catcher. Cara was all League 2nd Team last year and the coaches are looking for her to be one of the team leaders. She will have the job of guiding this outstanding pitcher, as she is another strength of this team.
The coaching staff is very excited about the infield. They feel that this, very possibly, will be the best defensive group yet. Courtney Ludwig, a highly recruited second baseman out of Gig Harbor, leads the infield. She was all league in high school, and has shown outstanding skills. Also key will be Michaela Willet, a three-year starter and all league shortstop from Kelso.
The outfield will be strong as well. They also will be counting heavily on all league outfielders Katy Myers from Castle Rock and Sara Welsh from RA Long.
The team definitely will have defensive strength through the middle of the diamond, which every coach strives to obtain. Coaches are also excited about the offensive strength that this team has shown in fall and winter workouts. Coaches are confident this team can put enough runs on the board to give them a good chance in every ballgame.
Lower Columbia College Athletics is eagerly anticipating another successful year of Lady Devil Softball. They will definitely be in the hunt for another NWAACC Championship.