By Marc Meyers, sports information director

With superb slugging numbers, sophomore catcher/first baseman McKell Barnes shattered UMF softball records and smashed her way into the NCAA Division III elite this past spring.

“She was outstanding for the whole season,” says UMF head coach Cyndi Pratt, who took over the reins from Bob Leib in the 2009 season. “She got on a roll. She always came through with a big hit when we needed it.”

Barnes batted .527 with 13 home runs and drove in 44 runs in 30 games to lead the Beavers back to the NAC title game. Her single-season totals in home runs, RBI, and runs scored (33) were program records. She also established a new career mark for home runs (18).

Her totals were not only grand for Prescott Field, but also the nation. Barnes was tops in NCAA Division III in home runs per game (.43) and slugging percentage (1.088), second in on-base percentage (.614), and third in batting average and RBI per game (1.47). She was honored as the NAC Player of the Year and an All-NAC First Teamer, and received regional accolades from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

Pitcher Liz Bergeron and first baseman/designated player Shannon Mitchell received All-NAC Second Team honors. Bergeron went 11-8 with a 2.97 earned-run average, and Mitchell hit .402. With a .327 batting average, a team-high 11 sacrifices, and a 3.93 grade-point average, center fielder Erin Porter received ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 1 Third Team honors.

“I was very happy with our season,” says Pratt. “We had a very successful season and continued with the great tradition of UMF softball.”