May 19, 2004

WACO, Texas-The No. 19 Baylor University softball team placed four players on the 2004 National Fastpitch Coaches Associaction Midwest All-Region team the NFCA announced today. Carrie Leerberg, Harmony Schwethelm and Chelsi Lake were first team selections while Cristin Vitek earned second team honors.

Leerberg earned the nod on the first team at second base after a stellar season at the position for the Lady Bears. The first team all-Big 12 Conference selection currently leads the team with a .382 batting average and leads the team and the conference with five triples on the year. The selection marks the first time Leerberg has been named to the team.

Schwethelm also earns her first selection to the all-region team. The sophomore had an outstanding regular season in the leadoff position and is second on the team with a .359 batting average. Schwethelm enters the NCAA tournament tied with Leerberg for the team lead with 27 stolen bases and was also a first team all-Big 12 Conference selection.

Lake rounds out the first-team selections, as the freshman was given the nod at the designated player position. The native of Keller, Texas, ranked third on the team with a .300 batting average in conference play and had game-winning pinch-hits in wins over Kansas and Texas A&M.

Vitek is the only two-time selection of the group, as the standout pitcher also was named to the second team following her freshman season. The left-handed junior has set numerous school record this season, becoming the first Baylor pitcher to reach the 30-win plateau and establishing a new single-season strikeout record with 227.

Vitek, who has 607 career strikeouts, is only four strikeouts away from surpassing Stacey Allison (610) as the school's all-time leader in strikeouts.

Coaches in each region vote on the members of the all-region team, as each member is now eligible to make the all-American team, which will be announced by the NFCA on May 24.