University of Dallas Softball Home Page

2009 Season Recap

UD Softball Sets 6 Records En Route to Most Wins in School History
Battling through a slow start, the UD softball team caught on fire midway through the season and ended with a 20-17 record, the school's best since the program was started in 2002. The team was led by a strong contingent of seasoned upperclassmen, as well as an unpredicted boost from the freshmen class. Collectively, the Lady Crusaders broke six team records: Wins (20), Runs (263), Hits (347), Home Runs (13), RBIs (231) and Strikeouts by (220). In the final NCAA statistical rankings the Crusaders were ranked highly in several team categories. UD ranked 37th in batting average at .333, 34th in slugging percentage at .481, 20th in scoring with 7.11 runs, 11th in doubles per game with 1.97, and 6th in triples per game with .57. The team also had a run differential of +92 due in large part to racking up 88 more hits and 99 more RBIs than their opponents. In addition to the team records, new marks were set in five individual categories by three different players, and several players were recognized for their achievements throughout the season.

On the offensive side of the ball, the team was led by senior pitcher/shortstop Belle Swaja (Hillsboro, OR/Hillsboro H.S.), junior outfielder/shortstop Amber Adams (Dallas, TX/Dallas Christian Academy) and freshman standout outfielder Jessica Mollner (St. Paul, MN/Convent of the Visitation School). All three of them had a batting average over .400 as well as accounting for almost half of the team's hits. Swaja tied Sofia Castillo's 2006 mark for RBIs in a season with 39, while Adams surpassed her own school record for doubles with the new standard being 14. Adams and Mollner both set a new mark for hits in a season with 52, in addition to Mollner setting new records for runs with 52 and stolen bases with 27. Besides her other records, Mollner was ranked 2nd in the nation for runs per game with 1.14, 8th for triples per game with .22, and 18th in stolen bases per game with .73. At seasons end, Mollner was named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division III All West Region Third Team, and Swaja, Adams, and Mollner were all named to the Association of Division III Independents (AD3I) All-Independent First Team. Mollner and Adams were selected as first team outfielders and Swaja was chosen as the team's shortstop. Mollner was also named the association's Rookie of the Year and Swaja as the Hitter of the Year.

In addition to all of the new records, a highlight of the season was Swaja's no-hitter against Rust College on March 1st. She racked up eight strikeouts while only giving up two walks on the way to an 18-0 victory. She also hit a home run in the victory. On the season, Swaja was 7-9 with a 3.42 ERA in 98 and a third innings with 84 strikeouts, and wrapped up her four year career with several mentions atop the UD record book.

Also on the pitching side, the Crusaders were led by sophomore Michaela Coghlan (Dallas, TX/Bishop Dunne) and junior Rachel Hoelker (Sugar Land, TX/St. Agnes Academy). Coghlan racked up a record of 8-6 with a stellar 2.40 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 87 and a third innings, while Hoelker pitched her way to a 5-2 record with 56 strikeouts and a 4.03 ERA in 50 and a third innings. Both ladies contributed complete game shutouts as well. Following the season, Coghlan was named to the AD3I All-Independent second team.

Also making significant contributions to the team were 3 other seniors. Catcher Lizzie Griffin (Anahuac, TX/Baytown Christian Academy), first baseman Katie Rainbolt (Southlake, TX/Southlake Carroll H.S.), and third baseman Mari Ramirez (Helotes, TX/Sandra Day O'Connor H.S.) wrapped up their careers' while making history. Both Griffin and Ramirez were named to the AD3I All-Independent second team. Sophomore outfielder Jesse Allen (Madison, MS/St. Andrew's Episcopal School), freshmen outfielder/catcher Sammy Lawless (Houston, TX/George Bush H.S.), and freshman second baseman Rebecca Burns (River Ridge, LA/John Curtis H.S.) rounded out the squad and contributed to the success in 2009. Lawless was also named to the AD3I second team as an outfielder. As a team, the ladies batted .333, with seven players possessing a batting average over .300.

The team will be looking forward to next year, as they only lose 4 of the 9 starters to graduation. The nucleus of the team will remain young with underclassmen Mollner, Lawless, Coghlan, Burns and Allen all gaining a year of seasoning. Given this year's record-setting pace and the team's desire to reach new heights, there is every reason to be optimistic and excited about the 2010 Lady Crusaders.

For the latest Crusader Softball news and results, visit Softball News .

Program History

The softball program was established in 2002 behind head coach Venera Flores. The team experienced immediate success, going 17-14 in its first season. After 8 seasons the softball programs cumulative record is 118-124. After four seasons current coach Rachel Hanson has a UD softball record of 62 wins, and her 2009 squad set the school record for wins with 20. In recent years, the UD softball team has had the opportunity to play games in locations such as Los Angeles, CA, Atlanta, GA, Colorado Springs, CO, and Portland, OR.

The Association of Division III Independents

The University of Dallas is a charter member of the Association of Division III Independents. Please click on the heading below to check out all the latest information.