April 12, 2006

By Scott McLean, SFU Media Relations Coordinator

BURNABY, B.C. - Two current and three former members of the Simon Fraser University (B.C.) women's softball team have been named to Softball Canada's Senior Women's National Team that will compete in the 2006 World Championships in Beijing this coming August. This event will also serve as an Olympic Qualifier for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the last time softball will be on the Olympic schedule.

Current student-athletes Erin McLean (Whitby, Ont., 3B, Junior) and Melanie Matthews (Surrey, B.C., OF, Sophomore) join former Clan Alumni Erin Cumpstone (Saskatoon, SK : SFU '00-'04), Angela Lichty (Guelph, Ont. : SFU '99-'03) and Rachel Schill (Kitchener, Ont. : SFU '03-'05) on the 17-player roster. Cumpstone, Lichty and Schill were members of the Canadian Olympic team in Athens where they placed fifth.

"I am very pleased for both our current and former athletes who have been recognized for their abilities in being named to our National Team," said SFU head coach Mike Renney upon hearing the announcement. "It once again demonstrates the quality of athlete not only within our program but within the NAIA - given the talent of many of our opponents I am often surprised that the U.S. National Team program generally only looks at the NCAA D-I athletes when there are so many talented NAIA players."

Matthews and McLean are currently two of the Clan's top offensive producers, batting first and third respectively in the order.

"Mel (Matthews, a Division-I transfer from Stetson University) has stepped right in and filled the role of our lead-off batter after the departure of 2004 Olympian Rachel Schill and done a remarkable job, she possesses all the speed you could ask for and has an exceptional short game," comments Renney "While Erin (McLean) gives us a switch hitter with both power and speed."

The Clan's clean-up hitter and starting catcher was also named to the Canadian Elite Team (Canada's developmental team). "Hartley is probably the third catcher in the National team depth chart and with the top team going with only two she will have to wait her turn and continue to develop." Hartley currently leads the Clan in home runs with nine in 20 games played.