Bowling Green State University Athletics
Habicht, Rango, Wiemer Named to All-MAC First Team
May 09, 2006 | Softball
May 9, 2006
MIDLAND, Mich. (BGSUFalcons.com) - A total of five Bowling Green State University standouts have been named to the All-Mid-American Conference Softball First Team. Seniors Abby Habicht and Gina Rango and freshman Hayley Wiemer were named to the all-conference first team, while senior Liz Vrabel and freshman Desiree Miller were chosen to the all-league second team. The 2006 All-MAC Team was announced at Tuesday evening's (May 9) banquet, held in conjunction with the MAC Tournament.
Rango, a third baseman, was named to the first team for the fourth time in as many years at BGSU. She becomes the first-ever Falcon to earn first-team honors on four occasions. Vicki Miwa (1986, 1987 and 1988) and Michelle Clagett (1987, 1988 and 1989) each earned first-team accolades on three occasions.
 Abby Habicht has been named to the All-MAC First Team (photo by Jeff Harwell)  |
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Habicht, Miller and Wiemer each have been named to the All-MAC Team for the first time in their respective careers.
The Falcons' total of five all-league selections is BG's most since 2001, and the three first-team choices are the most since those '01 Falcons had four players chosen to the first team. The school records in each category were set in 1986, as six Falcons were named to the All-MAC First Team that spring.
 Freshman Hayley Wiemer picked up first-team honors (photo by Jeff Harwell) |
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Habicht, a four-year starter for the Falcons, has been one of the top defensive players in school history during her career, and has blossomed into an offensive force for BGSU this year. Habicht, a catcher, is currently hitting .291 overall, and batted .369 with a slugging percentage of .585 and a .994 fielding pct. in MAC action.
 Desiree Miller earned second-team honors... (photo by Jeff Harwell) |
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Miller, like Wiemer, has contributed mightily in her first collegiate season. Named to the second team at the designated-player spot, she enters the MAC Tournament with a .271 batting average, three homers and 23 RBI. In MAC action, Miller batted .295 with a .410 slugging pct.
 ...as did Liz Vrabel, who earned all-league honors for the fourth time in her career (photo by Jeff Harwell) |
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The Falcons of head coach Leigh Ross have an overall record of 35-21, and BGSU finished MAC play with a 16-6 record, good for a second-place finish in the East Division and the third seed for the MAC Tournament. BGSU will face sixth-seeded Akron at Currie Stadium Wednesday morning (May 10). The game, the opening contest in the eight-team, double-elimination tourney, is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m.
2006 ALL-MAC TEAM
First Team
1B -- Leslie Stong, Toledo
2B -- Amanda Heckaman, Western Michigan
SS -- Lauren Clark, Eastern Michigan
3B -- Gina Rango, Bowling Green
C --- Abby Habicht, Bowling Green
OF -- Kim Hamilton, Kent State
OF -- Whitney Lebowitz, Kent State
OF -- Katie Niemi, Western Michigan
P --- Brittney Robinson, Kent State
P --- Krysten Schumaker, Western Michigan
DP -- Kristen Hays, Miami
UT -- Hayley Wiemer, Bowling Green
ATL - Jessica Toocheck, Kent State
ATL - Amy Hudson, Central Michigan
ATL - Katie Grens, Eastern Michigan
Second Team
1B -- Ashley Strauss, Eastern Michigan
2B -- Ashley Ball, Kent State
SS -- Gina Muratori, Toledo
3B -- Taylor Yancey, Ball State
C --- Becky Bartosz, Western Michigan
OF -- Carrese Moody, Akron
OF -- Jacque Benedict, Central Michigan
OF -- Kristi Strange, Western Michigan
P --- Liz Vrabel, Bowling Green
P --- Michelle Sauter, Ohio
DP -- Desiree Miller, Bowling Green
UT -- Nikki Denman, Eastern Michigan
ATL - Sara Zilles, Akron
ATL - Mandi Sayres, Western Michigan
ATL - Julie Boyes, Akron
ATL - Amanda Pick, Ball State
(UT - Utility; ATL - At-Large Selection)
