LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Following All-America honors in 2018 and a terrific start to 2019, Augustana sophomore Ashley Mickschl has been named to the 2019 Schutt Sports/NFCA DII Player of the Year watch list. Mickschl is one of just 50 DII student-athletes in the nation to be named to softball's top watch list. In all, the group consists of 19 seniors, 21 juniors and 10 sophomores, representing 44 programs from 21 different conferences.

Through eight games this season, Mickschl has jumped out to an impressive start for the Vikings. The Woodbury, Minn. native dealt a complete-game five-hitter, allowing just one run and striking out five in a 4-1 win over No. 9 Texas A&M - Commerce. In four appearances this season, Mickschl has a 1.88 ERA, and 27 strikeouts in 26 innings pitched. Mickschl has faced 96 batters this season, limiting the opposition to just 21 hits and a .219 average. 

From the dish, Mickschl has also contributed, hitting .310 with a team-high 6 RBI over the weekend. She leads the team with 13-total bases, a pair of doubles and a .448 slugging percentage. In the upset win over Commerce, Mickschl finished 2-4 with 2 RBI.
 
As a freshman a season ago, Mickschl was selected as an NFCA All-American, becoming just the 16th first-team selection in program history. Mickschl led the Vikings with a 20-8 record in the circle over 35 appearances, finishing the season with 137 strikeouts and 53 walks.
 
Offensively, she posted a team-high .429 batting average, including 10 doubles, a triple, eight home runs, and 44 RBI. 

Mickschl and the Vikings remain off for the month of February but will be back in action on March, 8 in Kissimmee, Florida. The Vikings play eight games in the sunshine state, starting with Gannon University. 

2019 Schutt Sports / NFCA Division II Player of the Year Watch List
*Denotes returning NFCA All-American
 
Kiara Akles, So., University of Alabama in Huntsville
Kaitlyn Beers, Jr., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Georgia Capell, So., Tarleton State University *
Kayla Cato, Sr., Claflin University
Meredith Daunhauer, Sr., Kentucky Wesleyan College
Stephanie Day, Jr., Colorado Christian University *
Makaleigh Dooley, Sr., University of Tampa *
Abbey Fortin, Jr., Long Island University Post *
Bri Garber, Jr., West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Shelby Hammontree, Jr., University of North Georgia
Alaina Hampton, So., University of Alabama in Huntsville
Sherriah Harrington, So., University of California, San Diego *
Emily Harris, So., Young Harris College *
Cambrie Hazel, So., Dixie State University *
Kinsie Hebler, Jr., Texas A&M University-Commerce *
Hanna Holland, Sr., Humboldt State University
Tanna Huie, Sr., Tarleton State University 
Kacie Kelly, Jr., Saint Leo University
Katie Kish, Sr., Hillsdale College *
Jordyn Kleman, Jr., Winona State University *
Taegan Kirk, Sr., Angelo State University *
Brooke Larsen, So., California State University, Chico *
Clara Larson, Jr., Colorado School of Mines *
Jennifer Leonhardt, Jr., University of Southern Indiana *
Allison Lipovsky, Sr., Grand Valley State University *
Ashley Mickschl, So., Augustana University *
Kylee Moore, Sr., West Texas A&M University *
Taylor Moran, Jr., Lee University *
Callie Nunes, So., Concordia University Irvine *
Makray Odom Jr., Trevecca Nazarene University *
Austine Pauley, Jr., Lindenwood University
Elizabeth Perdue, Sr., Columbus State University
Samantha Reilly, Sr., Georgian Court University *
Christa Reisinger, Sr., Truman State University *
Lacie Rinus, Jr., Carson-Newman University *
Rebekah Slattery, Sr., Lock Haven University
Kylie Smith, Jr., University of North Georgia *
Tylia Sylestine, Sr., Texas Woman's University
Victoria Taylor, Jr., Southern Arkansas University *
Mallory Teunissen, Sr., Davenport University
AnnMarie Torres, Jr., Colorado Mesa University *
Suka Van Gurp, Sr., Nova Southeastern University *
Lani Van Zyl, Sr., Winona State University *
Lakyn Wagoner, Jr., University of Illinois at Springfield
Robyn Wampler, So., University of California, San Diego
Maria Williamson, Sr., Coker College *
Kaitlyn Weis, Jr., Northwest Missouri State University *
Ryanne Whitaker, Sr., Western Oregon University
Jenna Witt, Jr., Concord University *
Kristen Worley, Jr., California State University, Chico