By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director

SALEM, Ore. -- Alex Shields (Jr., C, Lake Forest, CA/El Toro HS) of Willamette University finished the 2016 softball season as the eighth most difficult batter to strike out in NCAA Division III. She struck out just one time in 90 at bats.

The national leaders were Alex Sheffer of Westminster College (Pa.) and Nicole Ovelheira from York College (N.Y.). Sheffer did not strike out in 91 at bats and Ovelheira had no strikeouts in 51 at bats.

Shields' ranking for limited strikeouts was one of three top 25 marks earned by the Bearcats this spring.

Danielle Saunders (So., LF, Salem, OR/McNary HS) placed ninth in the nation in hit by pitch per game (0.38). She was hit by 12 pitches in 32 games played. She led the Northwest Conference in hit by pitches.

Makayla Hari (Jr., RHP, Salem, OR/Blanchet Catholic HS) was ranked 24th in the country with three saves as a pitcher. She recorded saves in wins over University of Puget Sound, Occidental College (Calif.) and Pacific Lutheran University.

Katy Hill from East Texas Baptist University was #1 in hit by pitch per game (0.49), as she was hit 21 times in 43 games. The national leader in pitching saves was Katie Klein from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. She recorded 12 saves during the season.

Willamette just missed the top 25 in team stolen bases per game, as the Bearcats finished 26th with 1.94 steals per contest. The Bearcats stole 64 bases (79 attempts) in 33 games. Steffany Dunn (Jr., SS, Colfax, CA/Colfax HS) led the team by going 13 for 15 on stolen base attempts.

Virginia Wesleyan College topped NCAA Division III with 3.64 steals per game. The Marlins were successful on 164 steals (179 attempts) in 45 games.