Daktronics All-America Team
Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America Team
MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State senior outfielder Amanda Burkhart has been named to a pair of All-America teams, becoming the first SMSU softball player in school history to garner such honors at the NCAA Division II level. Burkhart was named to the 2009 Daktronics All-America first team and to the 2009 Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America third team.
The Daktronics All-America team is voted on by the members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), while head coaches from participating NCAA Division II institutions selected the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America team.
A native of Omaha, Neb., Burkhart put together a stellar campaign at the plate for SMSU in 2009, leading the NSIC in seven different offensive categories. She finished the season leading the conference in batting average (.506), slugging percentage (1.065) and on base percentage (.581). She was also tops in the conference in hits (39), RBIs (38), home runs (13) and total bases (82). The SMSU record book was a familiar place for the senior; this season, she set single-season records for home runs with 18 and RBIs with 57. Burkhart also set the SMSU single-season record in slugging percentage with .728. In the Mustang career record book, she has owns the No. 1 spot in home runs with 34, RBIs with 160 and doubles with 42.
The right fielder finished the season leading the Mustangs with a .367 batting average, 62 hits, 40 runs, 18 home runs and 57 RBIs. Her .728 slugging percentage and .438 on base percentage are also Mustang bests. Her laundry list of accolades for the 2009 season include nods for NSIC Player of the Year, All-NSIC first team, Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Central Region, Daktronics All-Central Region first team and Daktronics Central Region Player of the Year. She also ranks among the top ten in Division II in home runs.
SMSU finished the 2009 season with a 32-23 (21-5 NSIC) record and won the NSIC regular season title for the fourth straight season and fifth in the last six years. The Mustangs also made their fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
