by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
The nursing program at Kansas City Kansas Community College is getting an All-American softball player.
A freshman designated hitter from Basehor-Linwood, Allison Kasick was named to All-American second teams by both the NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) and NFCA (National Fast Pitch Coaches Association). In addition, Kasick was named to the All-District E first team and All-Jayhawk first team.
Kasick is the third Blue Devil to earn All-American honors under 16-year head coach Kacy Tillery. The others are Kirstin Knight and Karla Alamo (2001), pitcher Kaleena Michieli (2004) and shortstop Dana Dunsmore (2005). Catcher Peggy Hopkins was the first Blue Devil to be named to an All-American team in 1980 and was followed by Kathleen Myszka and Angie Fiatte in 1995, Melissa Eckerman in 1996 and Brooke Lyons in 2000
”In my mind, Allison was the best hitter in the Jayhawk Conference,” Tillery said. “She finished third in the nation in walks because coaches would pitch around her.”
Kasick hit a record .504 for the Blue Devils this season and led the team in hits, doubles (15), home runs (10), runs-batted-in (60) and slugging percentage (.882).
With Kasick leading the way, the Blue Devils hit a team record .392 for the season that led the Jayhawk in hitting and ranked sixth nationally.
Kasick has been accepted into KCKCC’s nursing program and so her future participation in the Blue Devil program is uncertain.
“We are hoping to be able to work around her schedule to allow her to come back for her sophomore year,” Tillery said.