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DECATUR, Ala. – Freshman
Stephanie Nippert (Rocklin, Calif.) made program history Wednesday when she became the first player in Corban softball history to be named as a member of the NAIA All-America Team, as announced by the national office.
"Stephanie is a tremendous player that had a phenomenal year," said third-year head coach
Nathan Ohta. "She played against some of the best teams and pitchers in the country this season and consistently put up numbers that are worthy of this honor."
As a freshman, Nippert earned 2nd team honors after leading the team in nine statistical categories that included batting average (.407), games played (47), games started (47), at-bats (162), hits (66), doubles (13), home runs (11), runs batted in (53), and total bases (114).
In her first season as a Warrior, Nippert broke numerous single-season records that included at-bats, hits, runs batted in, doubles, home runs, and total bases. Nippert also ranks in the Top 10 all-time for a single season in batting average (2nd), runs scored (2nd with 38), slugging percentage (3rd at .704), and stolen bases (7th with 13).
Nippert's home run total of 11 tied Corban's freshman record, while ranking as the third best single-season long ball performance in program history.
"As a freshman, Stephanie has already established herself as one of the best players in the Cascade Conference and I am excited to see what she is capable of the next three years," commented Ohta. "Stephanie being recognized at the national level is a great honor both for her individually and for the entire softball program here at Corban."
In conjunction with earning All-Cascade Collegiate Conference 1st team honors, Nippert ranked in the conference's Top 10 in 13 statistical categories that included leading the league in five different areas. The first-year Warrior was the leader in batting average, total bases, hits, runs batted in, and home runs.
Nippert was the lone Cascade Collegiate Conference representative on this year's NAIA All-America list, while also being one of only two freshman in the country to be named as a member of the All-America teams.
Corban, who finished as the runner-up in the conference post-season tournament, put together the best season and first winning record in program history thanks to a 24-23 win-loss total that included a 14-8 mark in league play.