Catching the runner off guard
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association and Diamond Sports, on Friday, announced Kirkwood Community College’s Jena Malmen the NJCAA Division II Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year.
Malmen had a stand-out freshman campaign with Kirkwood in 2011 and helped lead the Eagles to a seventh place finish at this year’s national tournament. The Orion, Ill., native hit .398 for this season, while driving in the nation’s fifth highest total of runs, at 74, and leading the nation in home runs with 28. The Indiana signee also turned in a .994 fielding percentage after committing just three errors in 533 chances behind the plate, finishing the year with one of the most productive seasons a first-year player at Kirkwood has put together.
Malmen, was a key factor to the Eagles 54-11 record this season, starting all but one game at catcher. She was named NJCAA 2nd Team All American and NFCA 1st Team All American. Not only did she do well on the field, she was stellar in the classroom as well. She post a 3.9 GPA at Kirkwood. Jena is planning on getting a degree in Athletic Training.
The Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year award is presented annually to the top catcher from an NFCA member institution in each of the following divisions: NCAA (Divisions I, II and III), NAIA, NJCAA (Divisions I, II and III), Cal JC, NWAACC and high school. A committee comprised of head coaches in each of the 10 divisions determines the winner of their respective award.