May 4, 2009
Spokane, WA – Saint Martin’s Morgan Klemm was named to the 2009 Great Northwest Athletic Conference all-conference team first-team at third base. Holly Morris, Kristine Kaneshiro and Brandi Klemm were all second-team selections.
Morgan Klemm batted .344 for the Saints to lead the team, a mark that put her seventh in the GNAC. She was eighth in the GNAC in homeruns and ninth in total bases. She posted a team high .337 on base percentage while picking up 53 hits and driving in 22 runs.
“Morgan is one of the best freshmen in the league. She has the self drive that you don’t find very often. She learns from the good and the bad which makes her grow every day,” said head coach Tiffany Qunell.
Morris, a second-team selection at third, led the GNAC with 13 homeruns this season and finishes with a career total of 35 to put her tied for second on the GNAC career list. She was first on the team in slugging percentage (.664), one base percentage (.404), total bases (95), runs scored (34), and runs batted in (34).
“Holly has always had the talent and heart to be the best player in the league. She will hit anything and field any ball at any position,” said Qunell. “She has worked very hard and overcome so much to get to the level she is at. I’m so proud of her to finish her career on such a high note and for accomplishing so many things.”
Kaneshiro, who earned outfield honors, posted a .334 batting average on the season as she led the team with 57 hits. Her three triples put her in second in the conference. She was second on the team in total bases (83), runs scored (30) and runs batted in (25).
“Kristine is one of the hardest workers you’ll come across. There isn’t a day where she isn’t giving 110 percent. She hit consistently all season while transitioning to centerfield,” said Qunell. “She did an amazing job this year.”
Brandi Klemm made second-team as the designated player. She was second in the team in hits (56) and third in batting average (.308). She also started on the mound for the Saints making a team high 35 appearances and throwing 110 1/3 innings.
“Brandi has always been a very reliable power player for us,” said Qunell. “She hits for herself while pitching shutouts or even playing in the field which isn’t common among pitchers. She is a very talented player.”
“All four girls have been a solid force for us this year. I’m not surprised these players have been selected to the all-conference team; they are all talented athletes,” added Qunell.
Jamie Herrick and Kristi Sigafoos received honorable mention. Herrick led the Saints with eight wins in 29 appearances with a team high 136 1/3 innings pitched. She posted 48 strikeouts and tossed 13 complete games.
Sigafoos, who was recognized at second base, batted .250 with 33 hits and a .364 slugging percentage.