Nemitz, Viefhaus Added to USA Softball Selection Camp
5/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Junior LHP Nikki Nemitz(St. Clair Shores, Mich./Regina HS) and junior third baseman Maggie Viefhaus(Eureka, Mo./Eureka HS) of the University of Michigan softball team have accepted invitations to the USA Softball Women's National Team Selection Camp, as announced today (Tuesday, May 19) by the Amateur Softball Association of American (ASA). The Wolverine duo will represent two of 37 players slated to compete at the selection camp, slated for June 8-12 in Chula Vista, Calif.
Nemitz, the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, is enjoying career success from the circle in 2009, boasting a 26-5 record with a 0.89 earned run average, five shutouts, 287 strikeouts and a .144 opponent batting average. She has boasted 12 games with double-digit strikeouts, including a career-high 18 in Michigan's season opener vs. Pitt. The first pitcher in U-M program history to start her career with three consecutive 20-win seasons, Nemitz has improved her statistics in each of her collegiate seasons. She already ranks fourth all-time in strikeouts (650) and seventh in wins (69). The U-M hurler also boasts career numbers from the plate with a .286 average, 17 runs scored, nine doubles, eight home runs and 36 runs batted in.
Viefhaus has surged in the second half of the season, headlining the Wolverines' Big Ten season with a league-leading .421 average against Big Ten opposition en route to her first career all-conference nod. Viefhaus has registered career highs in nearly all offensive categories, registering a .336 average with 42 runs scored and 37 RBI. More than half -- 56 percent (28/50) -- of Viefhaus' hits this season are of the extra-base variety. The Wolverine boasts a .658 season slugging percentage on 18 doubles, one triple and nine home runs. She leads the Wolverines with 11 multi-RBI games, including five of which came in Big Ten competition.
Viefhaus already boasts significant international experience as a member of the USA Softball Junior Women's National Team, contributing to Team USA's gold-medal performances at the 2007 Junior World Cup and the 2006 Junior Pan American Championships. The Wolverine earned all-tournament team honors at both events, posting a .429 average with eight runs scored and six RBI at the former event and batting .750 with 10 runs and 11 RBI at the latter.
The Wolverine duo, who headlined Michigan's offensive efforts in NCAA Regional play last weekend with averages of .625 and .571, respectively, are the 12th and 13th Wolverine players in program history to earn an invitation to the National Team Selection Camp.
The USA Softball Women's National team has several International events on its schedule this year, including the World Cup of Softball, scheduled for July 16-20, in Oklahoma City, Okla. The World Cup will feature the top four finishers from the 2008 Olympic Games, including a Gold-medal game rematch between Japan and the United States.
USA Softball Release
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
