Becca Smith	Liz Hill
Brianna Williams	Sheena Canady
Rosie Jones	Briana DeFlavio
Emily Madsen	Glenn Johnson
Larry Yoder	John Olachnovitch

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Sophomore right-hander Becca Smith was named MCC Pitcher of the Year and Glenn Johnson was tabbed as MCC Coach of the Year as the Midwest Collegiate Conference released its postseason softball honors on Monday.

In all, seven Mustangs were honored by a vote of league coaches. Smith was joined on the first team by sophomore first baseman Liz Hill, senior shortstop Brianna Williams, and senior center fielder Sheena Canady. Sophomore second baseman Rosie Jones, sophomore catcher Briana DeFlavio, and senior right fielder Emily Madsen received honorable mention.

Through conference tournament play, Smith is 26-3 with a 1.01 earned run average. In 186 innings pitched, she has struck out 276 while walking only 19. Smith set Mount Mercy's single-season strikeout record for the second year in a row and ranks in the top 10 nationally in five categories, including strikeouts, wins, and opponent batting average (.150).

"Becca has been an integral component to the success of Mount Mercy softball," said Johnson. "She has worked very hard to get where she is today. Her contribution is reflected not only by statistics, but also by her outstanding competitive spirit and consistent poise in the circle."

Hill and Williams were first-team picks for the second straight season. Hill is batting .321 with seven doubles and leads the Mustangs with a school-record 11 home runs and 47 RBIs. Williams is second on the squad with a .386 average, five homers, and 35 runs batted in. She has scored a team-high 40 runs and has 14 doubles.

Canady, an honorable mention all-MCC performer in 2009, grabbed first-team honors this spring. In addition to hitting .373, she has a team-best 56 hits and 39 runs scored. Canady has also hit nine doubles, six triples, and three home runs from the leadoff spot. After setting Mount Mercy's single-season stolen base mark last year (42), she is 30-for-33 this spring and holds the career record (72).

Jones is Mount Mercy's leading hitter this spring, batting .400 with four home runs, nine doubles, and 26 RBIs. She has also stolen 11 bases in 12 attempts. DeFlavio is hitting .340 with three homers, six doubles, and 22 runs batted in for the Mustangs. Madsen is one of seven Mustangs batting over .300, hitting at a .307 clip with a pair of home runs, nine doubles, a triple, and 19 RBIs.

After leading the Mustangs to their first regular season conference championship since 1992 and first national tournament berth since 1990, Johnson was chosen by his peers as the MCC Coach of the Year. However, he credits his entire staff, including Associate Head Coach Larry Yoder, Pitching Coach John Olachnovitch, Strength and Conditioning Coach Blake Tiedtke, and Assistant Coach Melissa King.

"The ability of the Mount Mercy softball program to improve from a 6-43 team in 2006 to the current team holding a record of 36-9 is based upon the willingness of our players to work, learn, and improve," Johnson said. "The dedication to improvement, stability, and fundamental approaches of Coach Yoder and Coach Olachnovitch, combined with the work ethic and focus of Coach Tiedtke and Coach King, have helped our players progress in all facets of the game."

"Coach Johnson and his staff have done a tremendous job of taking a softball program that was struggling and turning it into a conference champion in four years," said Mount Mercy Athletic Director Scot Reisinger. "On top of that, the team's achievements in the classroom have also been oustanding."

2010 Midwest Collegiate Conference Honors

MCC Player of the Year: Tyanna Helton (William Penn)
MCC Pitcher of the Year: Becca Smith (Mount Mercy)
MCC Coach of the Year: Glenn Johnson (Mount Mercy)

All-MCC First Team Infield:
Liz Hill (Mount Mercy)
Brianna Williams (Mount Mercy)
Melissa Krueger (St. Ambrose)
Andrea Blanchard (Waldorf)
Katie Bredlow (Waldorf)
Tyanna Helton (William Penn)

All-MCC First Team Outfield:
Meghan Tomlinson (Grand View)
Sheena Canady (Mount Mercy)
Jessica Murphy (St. Ambrose)
Laura Read (Waldorf)
Khyia Lewis (William Penn)

All-MCC First Team Catchers:
Emily Gilbert (Grand View)
Betsy Ward (Viterbo)

All-MCC First Team Pitchers:
Becca Smith (Mount Mercy)
Hannah Lugar (William Penn)
Monica Villarreal (William Penn)

All-MCC First Team Utility:
Megan Tompkins (Grand View)

All-MCC First Team Designated Player:
Melissa Vance (Waldorf)

All-MCC Honorable Mention:
Jessie Rosenow (Ashford)
Colleen Dansart (Clarke)
Nicky Newhoff (Clarke)
Sheila Finnell (Grand View)
Lauren Vitiello (Grand View)
Courtney Yacinich (Grand View)
Ayla Serrano (Iowa Wesleyan)
Leigha Strong (Iowa Wesleyan)
Briana DeFlavio (Mount Mercy)
Rosie Jones (Mount Mercy)
Emily Madsen (Mount Mercy)
Bethanee Nitz (Viterbo)
Sami Weaver (Viterbo)
Rachel Hannam (Waldorf)
Jennifer McLarney (Waldorf)
Kara Atkins (William Penn)
Hailey Dreyer (William Penn)
Krystina Lorah (William Penn)
Ashley Stream (William Penn)