Rathje Garners NAIA All-American Honors
Kansas City, Missouri- Brenau softball player Jessica Rathje was named as a 2019 NAIA Softball All-American Honorable Mention by the All-American committee, the national office announced Tuesday.
Rathje, a senior pitcher, threw 192 innings on the mound and won 22 games for the Golden Tigers this season. She had a 1.68 earned run average and 209 strikeouts for the season and nationally, she was ranked 18th in wins, 23rd in total innings pitched, and 31st in earned run average.
The Glencoe, Ala. native posted career-bests in ERA and strikeouts, while helping her team capture a second consecutive Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament title.
The All-American recognition tops off an outstanding final season for Rathje, which also includes garnering first-team All-Conference, and NFCA All-Region second team honors.
Rathje becomes the sixth Golden Tiger to earn NAIA All-American status, joining former standouts Kathleen "Eli" Daniel (2017), Cassie Lassiter (2009), Anna Maness (2011), Tiffany Schandera (2011) and Jenny Sheperd (2011) as NAIA All-Americans.