NIACC's Lienhard earns NFCA all-American honor

MASON CITY - NIACC freshman Laken Lienhard was selected to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association NJCAA Division II all-American second team as a utility/pitcher.

Lienhard, who is from Cresco, is the first NIACC player to earn NFCA all-American honors since Kaci Sherwood was a second-team infield selection in 2019. 

Lienhard, who was a first-team all-NJCAA Region XI Division II pick, hit .436 with 14 home runs, 12 doubles, 30 RBIs and 23 stolen bases. The 14 home runs ranks third on NIACC's all-time single-season list.

Lienhard, who was 8-15 as a pitcher, had a 3.39 earned run average in 142 1/3 innings pitched. Lienhard struck out 156 batters, which ranks third on the school's single-season strikeout list.

Lienhard was one of nine ICCAC players to earn NFCA all-American honors. The league had five first-team selections and four second-team picks.

Earning first-team honors from the ICCAC were first baseman Loghen Schnetzer (Iowa Central), shortstop Sophie Maras (DMACC), outfielder Randyn Carter (Kirkwood), pitcher Kori Wedeking (Kirkwood) and second baseman Kaylie Reynolds (DMACC).

Also earning second-team honors from the ICCAC were catcher Peggy Klingler (Kirkwood), outfielder Abby Husak (DMACC) and utility/pitcher Lexi Chase (Iowa Lakes).

Lienhard's 2021 season highs:

Runs scored - 4, twice.

Hits - 5 vs. Southwestern (1st game DH) (4-10-21)

Doubles - 3 vs. Southwestern (1st game DH) (4-10-21).

Triples - 1, twice.

Home runs - 2 vs. Indian Hills (1st game DH) (4-2-21).

RBIs - 5 vs. Marshalltown (1st game DH) (4-25-21).

Pitching:

Strikeouts - 13 vs. Iowa Western (1st game DH) (5-1-21).

NIACC'S SOFTBALL ALL-AMERICANS

NJCAA Division I

1992  - Heather Higgins (catcher) honorable mention

NSCA All-American

1996 - Mary Jo Vrba (utility) 3rd team

NFCA All-American

2016 - Kendall Cornick (outfield) NJCAA Division II first team

Note: Kendall Cornick was a 2016 NFCA NJCAA Division II Golden Shoe winner.

2018 - Morgan Thesing-Ritter (outfield) NJCAA Division II second team

2019 - Kaci Sherwood (infield) NJCAA Division II second team

2021 - Laken Lienhard (utility/pitcher) NJCAA Division II second team

Fastpitch News All-American

2016 - Kendall Cornick (outfield) NJCAA Division II 2nd team

2019 - Kristen Peka (pitcher) NJCAA Division II 2nd team