Pacific Lutheran softball has an outstanding tradition
of success on the field. While an NAIA member, PLU
won national championships in 1988 and 1992 and
finished as runner-up in 1990. In the past 21 years,
the Lutes have won 16 Northwest Conference championships.
Since joining NCAA Division III during the 1998-99
school year, PLU has advanced to five regional tournaments
and played for the regional title on four occasions.
In 2002, the Lutes tied an NCAA record with 34 consecutive
wins, captured a regional title and advanced to
the NCAA Division III national tournament where
they finished fourth.
Since 1987, PLU players have earned All-America
honors 20 times, highlighted when Shannon Fritzke
was selected as the 2002 NCAA Division III Player
of the Year. In the past 14 seasons, Lute players
have won nine Northwest Conference Player of the
Year awards.
PLU softball players also have a rich tradition
of success in the classroom, including seven NAIA
All-America Scholar-Athlete honorees. In 2006, Gretchen
Ruecker received first team Academic All-America
honors.
Joining the program in the 2008-09 school year
for her first season as head coach is Erin Van Nostrand,
who enjoyed four successful seasons at Pine Manor
College, an NCAA Division III school in the Chestnut
Hill area of Boston.
Recent Team Accomplishments:
• 2002 - 4th
Place NCAA National Tournament
• 2002 - NCAA Regional
Champions
• 1999, 2000, 2001,
2002, 2003 - NCAA Regional Tournament
• 1996, 1997 - Pacific
Northwest Regional Champions
• 1997 - NAIA National
Tournament - 3rd Place
• 16 Northwest Conference
Titles Since 1987
• 1989 and 1992 - NAIA
National Champions
• 1997 - NAIA National Tournament -
3rd Place
Contact Info:
Head Coach Erin Van Nostrand
Athletic Department
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA 98447
Phone: (253) 535-7419
Email: vannosee@plu.edu |
