Over the next three weeks, we will be posting a daily review of the top 10 sports stories, moments and accomplishments of the 2009-10 school year in Concordia athletics, as determined by Sports Information Director Tony Baldwin.  Today's entry features the No. 7 story in our countdown.  Check back each weekday for a new entry in the top 10 list.  The No. 1 story will be revealed on May 25.  The full year in review will be posted on May 31.  Agree or disagree with the selections?  Comment by sending an e-mail to Tony Baldwin, SID, at tony.baldwin@concordia.edu.

PAST STORIES:
HONORABLE MENTION SELECTIONS
NO. 10 - WOMEN'S SOCCER BREAKS CTX WINS RECORD
NO. 9 - ADDITION OF TRACK & FIELD PROGRAMS
NO. 8 - THREE POSTSEASON TEAMS

When a team has a successful season there are usually a few individuals who stand out.  For the Concordia University  Texas softball team, it was three individuals.  Freshman #Haylee Staton#, junior #Jessica Rattan# and sophomore #Lauren Vansickle# were all named first team all-conference for their performances this season.  They led the CTX softball team to a program-best 18 wins in conference play and secured the number two seed in the conference playoffs.

Staton's year was amazing.  Not only was the freshman one of the top hitters on the Tornados club, but she was also the top pitcher for Concordia.  She posted a 10-5 win-loss record during the regular season.  She was 10-2 against conference opponents.  Her 1.56 earned run average in 2010 was lowest ERA in school history for a single season.  On the offensive side of things, Staton had the second-best batting average on the team (.324).  She belted a team-high four home runs and drove in a team-best 25 runs.

Rattan had a record-breaking year, as well, for Concordia.  She became the Tornados all-time home run leader this season.  She passed former greats #Cara Patranella# and #Karen Smart# (also a current assistant coach).  Rattan batted .307 with four home runs and 16 RBI.  She led the team in stolen bases and was one of only two players to start all 40 games for CTX.

Vansickle was not only honored at the conference level, but also moved on to earn third team all-region honors.  She recorded team highs in hits (46), runs scored (32), doubles (14), triples (3), slugging percentage (.605) and on-base percentage (.483).  She did all this after making the switch from first base to the outfield.  Last year, Vansickle was a second team all-conference performer at first base.  This year, her offensive numbers blossomed as the lead off hitter for Concordia.

With all of the all-conference selections CTX had in 2009-10, the softball team is the only program to boast three first team performers this season.