May 12, 2006

Barrow named Regional Player of the Year Dana softball athletes Josie Barrow (SO Woodward, Iowa) and Marisa Bretschneider (SR Norfolk, Neb.) were named to the 2006 NAIA All-Region III team. Barrow was honored as regional player of the year.

Barrow finished the season with a batting average of .522. She hit 18 doubles, 19 home runs and drove in a team-high 65 RBI- all new school records. (Barrow is tied with Sarah Sempek who also hit 18 doubles this season.) With 157 total bases this season, her final slugging percentage was 1.000.

On the mound for the Vikings, Barrow threw 77 strikeouts in 17 wins and 5 losses.

“Josie is an exceptional athlete, but she is an even better person,” said Coach Marcy Roff.

“Marisa was the heart and soul of the team. I feel very fortunate to have coached her for 3 years.”

As a senior, right fielder Bretschneider batted .345 this season. She hit 10 doubles, a triple and 6 home runs.

Both Barrow and Bretschneider were leaders on one of the most successful softball teams in school history. The 2006 Vikings finished the season with an overall record of 43-10 and were ranked 24th in the NAIA. Dana won both the regular-season and postseason GPAC Championship. The Vikings hit 62 home runs, crushing the school record and nearly breaking a national record. The team also hit a school record 117 doubles.