APPLETON, Wis. — Anyone who watched Lawrence University softball star Amanda Jaskolski play this season knew she was one of NCAA Division III’s elite. The rest of the country agreed with Vikings nation.
Jaskolski (Shawano, Wis./Shawano) was named a first-team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association today. The senior shortstop is the first All-American in Lawrence softball history.
“When (Lawrence coach Kim Tatro) told me I could not believe it,” Jaskolski said. “As a softball player you always talk about the people who have been All-Americans and how they are idols for all of us, and now to be put in that group of people is an incredible honor. It’s beyond my wildest dreams for my softball career.”
This is the latest and greatest honor for Jaskolski, who was the Midwest Conference Player of the Year in 2014 and 2015. Jaskolski also earned first-team NFCA All-Great Lakes Region honors in each of the last two seasons.
“It has never been my goal to win any awards,” Jaskolski said. “My goals have always been to have fun, give my best and respect the game I’ve known and have loved since I was a little girl. As I get older I realize that the true All-Americans here are my parents for running me around the country to play this sport and for giving me unconditional support.
Jaskolski hit .462 on the season with 37 runs scored, 13 home runs and 46 runs batted in. Jaskolski led the Midwest Conference in on-base percentage at .573 and was first in RBIs, homers and walks and finished second in hits, slugging percentage and runs scored.
“Jazz is one of the most complete and gifted players we have had in our program,” Tatro said. “She is explosive at the plate in addition to being patient and smart, and she has one of the best gloves I’ve ever seen in 22 years at the college level on any team.”
Jaskolski decimated the Lawrence season records in 2015 by tying or setting six marks. Jaskolski’s 13 homers eclipsed the record of 12 set by Carli Gurholt in 2009, and her 46 RBIs topped Gurholt’s 2009 mark of 45. Jaskolski obliterated the total bases record with 104. The mark was 79, set by Jenny Burris in 2001 and matched by Gurholt in 2009.
Jaskolski’s 54 hits broke the record of 51 set by Burris in 2001, and she tied Burris’ record of 37 runs scored in 2001. Jaskolski also smashed the season walks record as teams consistently pitched around her. Jaskolski drew 31 walks, topping the mark of 22 held by Stephanie Ash (1992) and Kristynn Fields (1988).
With Jaskolski leading the way, Lawrence finished with a 28-12 record, tying the mark for the second-highest season win total in school history. The Vikings won the Midwest Conference’s North Division and finished second in the league tournament.
“There is no question that she is a game changer and deserves much credit for our success,” Tatro said. “When you couple her athletic ability with her leadership skills, competitive nature and humble attitude, you have greatness and that’s what she is. There is no question that she is deserving of this award and we are so proud of her.”
Jaskolski is the first Lawrence All-American in any sport since Ryan Kroeger was selected in men’s basketball in 2009. She is the first first-team All-American since 2006, when Chris Braier was chosen in men’s basketball.