Seven Yellowjackets Named All-Conference (May 10, 2005)
Joey Ehnes is PacWest Pitcher of the Year

BILLINGS, MT – Joey Ehnes was named the Pacific West Conference pitcher of the year on Tuesday when the conference announced its 2005 all-conference softball teams.  Seven Yellowjackets earned all-conference honors with a school record four first team selections.  MSU Billings was 34-12 overall and placed second in the PacWest with a 13-5 conference mark.  The Jackets are the No. 3 seed in this week’s NCAA West Regional in Carson, CA. 

Ehnes, a senior pitcher from Great Falls, MT, set every game, season and career school pitching record during her four year career.  She is 27-9 this season with a 1.44 ERA and 284 strikeouts, earning first team honors for the second year in a row.  Her 27 wins rank first in the PacWest and sixth in the nation.  She also leads the conference in strikeouts and ranks twelfth nationally for strikeouts per seven innings.  Ehnes had her best season at the plate as well, batting .391 with seven home runs and 39 runs.

Joining Ehnes on the All-PacWest First Team were Rachel Quarnburg (So., Billings, MT), Cami Rainey (Sr., Terreton, ID) and Theresa Campbell (Sr., Great Falls, MT).  Ehnes received the most points in the balloting with 127 while Campbell was third with 100.  Hawaii-Hilo’s Leo Sing Chow received Player of the Year honors with 125 points.

Quarnburg leads the conference with a .476 batting average and .567 on base percentage.  The most difficult hitter to get out in the PacWest, she shattered the old school single season record for batting average by over 130 points.  Quarnburg also led the PacWest with 43 runs batted in and hit seven home runs.

Rainey was one of the most productive infielders at the plate and at her shortstop position.  She is second in the league with a .419 batting average and led the conference with 46 runs scored and 67 total hits.  An electric defensive player with the ability to make the tough throws on the run, Rainey has a .936 fielding percentage with 60 assists.

Campbell was the PacWest home run champion with 14 homers this season.  Her next home run will tie the PacWest Conference single season record.  She hit a career-best .398 and set a school and PacWest single season records with an .805 slugging percentage.  Campbell also drove in 41 RBI and drew 19 walks.

Christy Wankel (Jr., Great Falls, MT) earned second team all-conference honors for the second straight year.  The fleet outfielder batted .338 with 28 runs and 34 RBI during the regular season.  She led the team with six stolen bases and also hit for power with seven home runs.

Layne Pavey (Sr., Spokane, WA) and Sara Hanley (Sr., Kalispell, MT) were each named to the honorable mention team.  Pavey had an off year at the plate, batting .182 with four home runs, but she continued to be one of the best defensive catchers in the region.  Hanley hit .303 and scored 25 runs.  If her average holds up through the NCAA Tournament, she will be the first player in the program’s history to hit over .300 in consecutive seasons. 

The Yellowjackets open the NCAA Tournament on Thursday against No. 6 Cal State-Chico at 11:30 a.m. PST.  If they win that game they play No. 2 Cal State-Dominguez Hills at 4:30 p.m. PST on Thursday.