KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the 2011 Softball All-America teams, selected by the NAIA All-America committee. Sophomore Christen Kirchner of Central Baptist (Ark.) and junior Emma Holden of California Baptist headline the group, which is comprised of First Team, Second Team and Honorable Mention selections.

Tabbed the NAIA Player of the Year, Kirchner led the nation in almost every hitting category. The native of Bryant, Ark., was first in the NAIA in batting average (.545), total hits (102), RBIs (86) and total bases (209). She ranked second in home runs (25), doubles (26) and slugging percentage (1.118). She hit safely in 57 of 64 games played and started the season on a 17-game hitting streak. She was part of a Mustang squad that led the NAIA in batting average (.423), hits per game (12.2), home runs per game (2.3) and run­s scored per game (9.6).

Kirchner led the Mustangs to the NAIA National Championship where the team went 2-1 and finished the season with a 57-7 overall record. She is the first Central Baptist athlete to be the Player of the Year.

Holden becomes the fourth honoree from California Baptist in the last five years to be named NAIA Pitcher of the Year. The native of San Carlos, Calif., ranked first in the NAIA in E.R.A. (0.590), opponent batting average (.102) and hits allowed per game (2.98). On the season, Holden went 35-2 with two saves in 214.1 innings pitched. She won her first eight games of the year. She was recognized as the Golden State Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year having tossed eight complete-game shutouts. She set a program-record with 350 season strikeouts.

She led the Lancers to a 66-5 overall record and a spot in the National Championship title game. Cal Baptist dropped a 1-0 decision to Oregon Tech on Wednesday. In nine games at the event, Holden was 5-1 with one save in 41.0 innings pitched and she allowed one earned run on just seven hits. She struck out 59, which ranked second in the tournament, and gave up nine walks.

There were 29 players on the First or Second Teams where their programs participated in the 32-team NAIA National Championship in Gulf Shores, Ala.

Seven 2010 First Teamers were honored again this year, while eight others from the 2010 Second Team repeated this season.

NAIA First Team All American (Sorted by Position)

NAIA Second Team All American (Sorted by Position)

Honorable Mention (Sorted Alphabetically):

Jenna Bentlage, Missouri Baptist

Emily Bergstrom, Houston Victoria (Texas)

Danelle Billings, Evangel (Mo.)

Heather Brusokas, Davenport (Mich.)

Annalee Carr, Belhaven (Miss.)

Charisse Colston, Notre Dame (Ohio)&

Nicole Dimicelli, Judson (Ill.)

Erica Gunter, Central Baptist (Ark.)

Derrisha Lacey, Cal State San Marcos

Shelby Lamb, Union (Tenn.)

Anna Mannes, Brenau (Ga.)

Kristina Manser, Friends (Kan.)

Megan Navarrette, Lubbock Christian (Texas)

Courtney O’Conner, British Columbia

Carolina Olivares, SUNY Canton (N.Y.)

Morgan Paschall, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)

Helen Rodgers, Marian (Ind.)

Jessaca Spears, SCAD Savannah (Ga.)

Leigha Strong, Iowa Wesleyan

Heidi Warmelink, Cornerstone (Mich.)

Pitcher of the Year: Emma Holden, California Baptist

Player of the Year: Christen Kirchner, Central Baptist (Ark.)

* 2010 First Team All-American

^ 2010 Second Team All-American

& 2010 Honorable Mention