Tiffin, Ohio – May 6, 2011 - Announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), three Heidelberg University softball players, juniors Megan Reinhart (Tiffin, Ohio / Hopewell London) and Dana Thoms (Amherst, Ohio / Firelands) and sophomore Ali Sayre (Sylvania, Ohio / Sylvania Northview) were named to the Capital One Academic All-District IV Third Team.
This marks the first time since 2006 (Jenny Coletta), that a Heidelberg softball student-athlete has earned a spot on this prestigious team and the first time in the history of the program to have multiple recipients.
Reinhart, an accounting and Spanish major, boasts a 3.46 grade point average. On the field, she was second on the team with 32 RBI and in slugging percentage (.690). Reinahart was tied for first in doubles (13) and home runs (7), which ties for first and third respectively, all time in a single season.
Thoms carries a 3.89 GPA, while studying early childhood education. On the mound, Thoms was second on the team in wins (9), strikeouts (53), and complete games (12).
Rounding out the Heidelberg representatives is pitcher Ali Sayre (Sylvania, Ohio / Sylvania Northview). Sayre, a political science major, has an impressive 4.0 grade point average. On the year, Sayre was second on the team with a 2.68 ERA.
Under the guidance of third-year head coach Betsy Hada, Heidelberg concluded the 2011 season, but not without etching its name into the record book. The team’s overall record of 24-14, broke the single season record of 23 wins set in 1996 and 1997. Hada has reached the 20-win plateau twice in her young coaching career, which has only been met seven times in the history of the program. Hada is the second coach behind Jim Miccichi (1995-98) to have consecutive 20-win seasons.
Against league foes, Heidelberg finished 6-12. Included in its list of victories was a doubleheader sweep of Capital University, marking the first sweep against the Crusaders since 1998.
To be nominated for Academic All-District, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at his current institution. Nominated athletes must have participated in at least 50 percent of the team's games at the position listed on the nomination form.