Aug. 12, 2003
University of Iowa softball player Emily Gerlick was named Most ValuablePlayer of the AFA National Championships, held in Beaumont, TX, July 29-August 1.
Gerlick, a sophomore infielder from Wonder Lake, IL, led her DuPage Wildcats team to the2003 AFA Under 18 National Championship, becoming the first team from Illinois toaccomplish that feat.
In the championship game against the defending champion California Running Rebels, Gerlickprovided a season’s worth of fireworks by hitting a two-out, two-strike, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth to give the Wildcats the national championship with a 2-0 win.
Gerlick finished the tournament with a .396 average to go with her 13 runs scored. She also hitthree triples. As a freshman at Iowa in 2003, Gerlick saw action in 31 games, mostly as a pinchrunner. She stole three bases and got a hit in her only official at bat. Gerlick missed a large chunkof the season with a deep leg laceration she suffered while attempting a stolen base.
The defending Big Ten Champion Hawkeyes will open their fall exhibition season September 12with their annual Alumni Game at Pearl Field. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.