2015 All-GLIAC Softball Team Release

After another strong regular season, the Grand Valley State softball team had five players earn All-GLIAC honors, which were released on Friday morning (May 1) in between opening round games at the league tournament. A pair of sophomores - designated player Ellie Balbach and second baseman Jenna Lenza - was named to the All-GLIAC First Team.
 
In addition to Balbach and Lenza, three more Lakers were tabbed as all-conference selections. Junior third baseman McKenze Supernaw was voted to the All-GLIAC Second Team, while Laker freshmen Courtney Reinhold (pitcher) and Teagan Shomin (shortstop) earned All-GLIAC Honorable Mention plaudits. The all-conference honors are the first such laurels for all five players.
 
Lenza leads GVSU in a number of offensive categories, including batting average (.387, including a .410 mark in conference games), hits (55), total bases (83), slugging percentage (.585), and is tied for the team-high in home runs (six) and RBI (35). The sophomore has started in 43 of 44 games - all at second base - and has been the team's third hitter all season. She has recorded 16 multi-hit games (five games of at least three hits) and 11 multi-RBI games (five games of at least three RBI), both of which are the best marks on the team.
 
A 2014 Daktronics All-Midwest Region Second Team selection, Lenza ranks fourth in the GLIAC in RBI, fifth in total bases, seventh in home runs and runs scored (34), eighth in hits and defensive assists (82), and ninth in batting average, slugging percentage, and walks (18). Lenza has also reached base in 32 consecutive games, tied for the second-longest streak by a Laker since at least the 2002 season.
 
Balbach has put together a very solid season, both at the plate and in the circle. The lefty has started in 29 games at designated player, while also making 14 appearances as a pitcher. At the plate, Balbach is hitting .316 for the season, but that figure jumps to .356 (third-best on the team) in conference play. She has 31 hits (seven doubles), but has also recorded 23 walks, third-most of any player in the GLIAC. Balbach has also driven in 23 runs, while owning a .444 on-base percentage.
 
In the circle, the lefthander owns a 7-2 record with a 2.12 earned run average. Her seven victories are 17th-best in the GLIAC, despite making just 14 appearances, which ranked 41st among all pitchers. She has struck out 39 batters in 56.0 innings and allowed three runs or fewer in 12 of her 14 appearances.
 
Supernaw is one of four Lakers to start all 44 games, starting at third base in every contest and batting either fourth of fifth in all but one game. She is tied with Lenza for the team lead in home runs (six) and RBI (35), while leading GVSU with 85 defensive assists. Overall, Supernaw is hitting .357 with 51 hits (10 doubles, one triple) and has a .566 slugging percentage.
 
In GLIAC rankings, Supernaw is fourth in RBI, fifth in defensive assists, seventh in home runs and total bases (81), and 11th in hits. She has recorded 15 multi-hit games (five games of at least three hits) and eight games of two or more RBI. Against Lake Superior State on Apr. 7, Supernaw was 5-for-5 in game one with two homers and seven RBI, becoming just the third Laker since at least 2000 to go 5-for-5 in a game. The seven RBI are also a school record, dating back to at least the 2000 season.
 
Reinhold and Shomin have had very solid freshman seasons. A righthanded pitcher, Reinhold is 13-5 in the circle with a 1.92 earned run average, giving up just 98 hits in 116.2 innings pitched. She ranks third in the GLIAC in complete games (15) and shutouts (four), while her 13 wins are fourth-most. Reinhold is also sixth in in ERA, and ninth in innings pitched and opponents' batting average (.224).
 
Shomin has started all 44 games at shortstop and primarily been the team's leadoff hitter all season. Thanks to a GLIAC-high 18 hit by pitches (only one other player in the league has more than nine), she owns a .477 on-base percentage, seventh-best in the conference. Her 38 runs are fourth-most, while she also has recorded 18 walks, 11 doubles, 47 hits, and eight stolen bases, all of which are top-20 figures in the GLIAC. Shomin's 18 hit by pitches this season are just one shy of tying the GVSU career record.
 
Lake Superior State second baseman Amanda Maxon was named the 2015 GLIAC Player of the Year, while Wayne State's Lyndsay Butler earned the GLIAC Pitcher of the Year award. Ohio Dominican shortstop Taylor Kline was tabbed the league's freshman of the year, while Wayne State's Gary Bryce was chosen as the conference's coach of the year.