April 7, 2009

BLUFFTON, Ohio - Bluffton's LinDSEY MILLER (Wapakoneta) has been named March's Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Women's Player of the Month. The senior softball infielder propelled the Beavers to a 15-7 record in March, while hitting .415 in those 22 contests.

Miller was 27-for-65 at the plate and finished March with 11 runs, 22 RBI, five doubles, and five home runs. She posted a .723 slugging percentage and reached base at a .465 clip.

For the season, Miller leads the HCAC in batting average (.468), slugging percentage (.797), RBI (33), on-base percentage (.512), and home runs (7).

Miller was selected Hitter of the Week in the HCAC after leading the Beavers to their best 10-game start in school history. Bluffton went 8-2 at the Rebel Spring Games with the only losses coming in extra innings. Miller hit .472 (17-of-36) with four home runs, three doubles and 15 RBI. She scored seven runs, slugged .889 and finished the week with a .472 on-base percentage.

Following her outstanding play in March, Miller went right back to work during her first four contests of April. She was a phenomenal 9-of-14 at the plate (.643 BA) as Bluffton went 3-1 in HCAC play during the week. She finished with 11 RBI, 4 runs scored and two home runs along with an intentional walk. Miller was 2-of-2 with a three-run shot in the first inning of Bluffton's 8-1 win over Defiance. At Franklin on Saturday, Miller was 6-for-9 with 7 RBI and a game one grand slam as the Beavers swept the Grizzlies in a pair of five-inning contests. For the week, Miller had a 1.071 slugging percentage.

Miller is the only Bluffton female athlete to claim the award and has earned the honor twice during her career at Bluffton.

The HCAC Player of the Month award is in its fourth year of existence. The award is voted on by the sports information directors of each member institution.

-BEAVERS-