May 6, 2007

MIDLAND - Lake Superior State catcher/designated player Nichole Dunford was named 2007 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year during the coaches meeting held prior to this weekend's GLIAC Softball Tournament.

Dunford (Chesterfield, Mich.) tied for third in the GLIAC in home runs with eight, including four against GLIAC opponents. She batted a team-leading .280 with 30 hits and 19 RBIs. She had an on-base percentage of .384. Dunford was also named to the All-GLIAC Second Team after batting .340 against league opponents.

Dunford hit the first collegiate pitch she faced out of the park. Without a doubt, that was a confidence builder for the Laker rookie.

"I didn't hit that many home runs during my high school career," said Dunford, who batted .423 and hit four home runs during her senior year at L'Anse Creuse North High School. "Pitching from 43 feet helped me a lot. I was really surprised. Maybe the weight training did it for me."

Dunford also totaled a team-high 16 walks, but she believes she flew under the radar despite emerging as a true power hitter in the No. 4 batting position.

"I had good hitters in front of me and behind me," Dunford said. "Teams didn't look at me as a powerhouse."

Junior April Brandt (White Cloud, Mich.) and senior Lisa Dahm (Escanaba, Mich.) batted in the Nos. 3 and 5 slots, respectively. Both teammates received All-GLIAC Honorable Mention. Dahm, who played third base when she wasn't pitching, batted .260. She totaled 78 strikeouts as a pitcher. Brandt, a center fielder, batted .250 and totaled 13 RBIs.

LSSU finished 7-33 overall, but Dunford said the Lakers played well during the last two weeks of the season.

"If we had started out with some home games, I think we would have had more success," said Dunford, whose team didn't play on its home field until April 20. "At the end of the season, the team was really playing well as a whole. Everyone started hitting against Wayne State."

The highlight of her freshman year was the Lakers' season-ending home split with Saginaw Valley State.

"Any win you get in the GLIAC is nice," she said. "And when we stayed competitive with GLIAC teams, that was nice too."

Dunford will play in the 18-under major division with her summer team, the St. Clair Shores Vipers.