Softball honored with five All-GPAC members

MITCHELL, S.D. – The Dakota Wesleyan University softball team recently concluded the 2019 season as five members were named to the All-Great Plains Athletic Conference Team, it was announced by the conference Wednesday.

 Senior short stop Andriana Sprakel (Yankton, S.D.) was named to the All-GPAC Second Team for the second time in the past two seasons. Sprakel was an anchor in the Tiger infield this season notching a field percentage of .968. At the plate, Sprakel was second on the team in batting average at .346 and collected 45 hits, seven doubles, two homeruns and 12 runs batted in. Sprakel amassed 184 games played for the Tigers throughout her career.

 DWU had four members honored to the All-GPAC Honorable Mention Team. Senior third baseman Amber Budmark (Sacramento, Calif.) was named to an All-GPAC Honorable Mention Team for the third time in her career. Budmark hit for .294 with 30 hits and 26 runs batted in. Budmark also led the team with 10 homeruns and collected 20 homeruns in her four-year career.

 Senior first baseman Karly Severance (Las Vegas, Nev.) added to her lustrous career at DWU this season. Severance hit .292 and finished with 28 hits, eight doubles, four homeruns and 19 runs batted in. Severance currently holds the school record in homeruns with 25 in her career.

 Freshman Adriana Thomason (Las Vegas, Nev.) tallied an Honorable Mention nod in her first season with the Tigers. Thomason led the team in batting average at .367 and notched 33 hits, five doubles, two homeruns and 20 runs driven in. In the field, Thomason only committed two errors and had 21 putouts.

 Alyson VanderPol (Mitchell, S.D.) had a solid year for the Tigers. VanderPol pitched 79.2 innings for DWU and finished with an 8.61 ERA and 31 strikeouts. The sophomore also hit.352 and knocked in 11 runs on 19 hits.

 DWU finished the 2019 season with an overall record of 12-30 and 7-15 in the GPAC. The Tigers graduated seven seniors.