PINEVILLE, La. - Louisiana College softball coach Tim Whitman has been named the Louisiana Coach of the Year among all college coaches in the state. Also, Rene' Schwartzenburg, McCaslin Carson, and Caitlin Bankston were all named second team All-Louisiana. The awards are especially prestigious because LC is one of only two non NCAA Division I teams in the entire state.
Schwartzenburg (Marksville, LA/MHS), a sophomore, went unbeaten through the year. She finished 14-0 with a 0.53 ERA. For her career, Schwartzenburg is 30-1, with her only loss coming to 2008 national champion, Wisconsin-Eau Claire. This season, she struck out 150 batters in just 106.0 innings pitched.
Bankston (Winnfield, LA/WHS), a freshman outfielder, led LC in home runs (5), RBI (37), stolen bases (26) and runs scored (45). She also ranked third on the team in batting average, hitting at a .368 clip.
Carson (Monroe, LA/Neville HS), who was the lone senior on this year's squad, ranked second on the team with a .371 batting average. She also had one homer and 26 RBI. On the mound, the 2008 All-American, posted a 15-5 record and a 0.99 ERA. In 134.2 innings pitched, she struck out 135 batters.
Whitman, who is currently the second most winningest active coach in NCAA Division III, has guided LC to five straight NCAA Regionals. This year, the Lady Wildcats were 38-9 and a number one national ranking during the rgular season for the third straight season. Whitman is the first non NCAA Division I coach to win the award.