May 17, 2008

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The Carson-Newman softball team reaped the rewards of one of the best seasons in school history this week, as three Lady Eagles earned All-American honors.

Pitcher Zoe Heim (Gallatin, Tenn.) and shortstop Jessie Howard (Knoxville, Tenn.) were each given nods as First Team All-Americans, while second baseman Whitney Hickam (Knoxville, Tenn.) earned a second team spot.

The national honors come after Carson-Newman turned in a 49-8 season, setting a school-record for wins, and earning the highest national ranking, 4th, in conference history.

Coach Vickee Hollifield's squad won both the South Atlantic Conference regular season and tournament titles, while finishing with the second most wins in SAC history.

Heim and Hickam were each named to the Daktronics, Inc. All-America squad.

Heim fired the Lady Eagles to their school-record 49 wins, compiling a 31-7 record on the year, with a 1.04 ERA.

The Ohio-transfer finished the year ranked sixth nationally in wins, and was on the cusp on the nation'a top ten in strikeouts per innings pitched (12th), and ERA. Her 291 strikeouts this season is the fourth most in SAC history.

The Gallatin, Tennessee-native tossed a no-hitter against Pfeiffer in mid-April. She followed an impressive finish to the regular season with a 4-0 record at the 2008 Food Lion SAC Tournament, leading C-N to the tournament title and earning Most Valuable Player honors. She allowed only four earned runs in four games as C-N swept through the tournament.

Howard was named First Team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

The Knoxville-native and Farragut High School product batted .451 as a sophomore, finishing the season with 87 hits and a .529 on-base percentage.

Despite being one of the toughest outs in the nation, Howard made even more of an impact when she reached base, stealing 54 bases on 57 attempts, and leading the Lady Eagles with 64 runs scored. Her 54 stolen bases ranks third nationally, and sets the SAC record for steals in a single season, breaking former-Lady Eagle Carol Zachary's mark of 48, set in 1990.

Hickam was named All-American for the second straight season. She was Third-Team All-American last season. The Knoxville-native batted .379 as a senior, belting eight home runs. She finished with 69 RBIs and a .629 slugging percentage.

Against Pfeiffer in the NCAA Tournament, Hickam ripped her 27th career blast, setting a new career record at C-N for home runs in a career.

A four-year starter, Hickam was part of four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including earning the top-seed at the regional this season.