Kosanke earns NWAACC All-American honors

Former Sisters High School softball standout Dara Kosanke was one of a dozen Northwest Athletic Association of Community College (NWAACC) players to earn All-American honors for the 2011 season.

The team was announced in Starkville, Mississippi by the National Fastpitch College Association. Kosanke is the first SHS graduate to receive All-American softball honors.

Kosanke, who was named to the NWAACC's All-East Region squad as first-team pitcher and Most Valuable Player, was one of three freshman honored by Louisville Slugger on the 2011 team. The others were Cassi Ellis, catcher from Wenatchee Valley College, and outfielder Jessica Guy from Mt. Hood Community College.

Kosanke, playing for Walla Walla Community College (WWCC), was joined on the All-American team by sophomore teammate Alexis Bobadillo.

Kosanke, who led Sisters to a co-Sky-Em League title and was named league Player of the Year in 2010, led the NWAACC in a number of categories, including runs scored (59), hits (85), doubles (19), triples (3), stolen bases and was among league leaders in batting average, home runs (7), RBI (38), and on-base percentage.

She also led the league in strikeouts and tied for pitching victories with 21. Her .525 batting average was a single-season school record for WWCC. She also set a school record for stolen bases in a season, with 31.

WWCC finished the season May 21 with a 1-0 loss to Clackamas Community College (CCC) in the second round of the NWAACC Tournament of Champions. Kosanke allowed four hits, but CCC's Ashley Suter limited the Lady Warriors to one. WWCC, the East Region champions, completed the season 34-12.