Softball Tuesday, May 6, 2025 NWC Athletic Communications

Kralik Named Pitcher of the Year, Bouman Coach of the Year to Highlight All-GPAC Teams

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Northwestern picked up seven all-conference selections and the GPAC Coach of the Year in Shane Bouman, while Kate Kralik was also named the GPAC Pitcher of the Year. Kralik, Gwen Mikkelsen, and Sydney Jacobs were all unanimous First Team selections.

Kate Kralik – GPAC Pitcher of the Year; First Team (Pitcher)
Northwestern's first GPAC Pitcher of the Year since 2012, Kralik earned a GPAC-leading 23 wins in the circle this season. She threw 139 strikeouts, sitting second in the conference, and has the fifth-best ERA in the league (2.38). Kralik is a three-time First Team All-GPAC selection and set the program record last season for single-season winning percentage (.944). Earlier this season, Kralik became the second player in program history to reach 500 career strikeouts, joining former teammate Kameryn Etherington.

Shane Bouman – GPAC Coach of the Year
Receiving GPAC Coach of the Year honors for the third consecutive year, Bouman has led the Raiders to three-straight 40-win seasons, winning the GPAC regular season title in each year. In seven seasons at Northwestern, he holds a record of 238-87 and earned his 500^th career coaching win earlier this season. He also led the Raiders to the program's highest ranking in the NAIA Coaches' Poll on March 5, peaking at No. 4.

Gwen Mikkelsen – First Team (Infield)
With her fourth All-GPAC selection and third pick on the First Team, Mikkelsen's name is prominent in the Raider record books. This season, she has hit .440, which is second in the GPAC, and leads the conference with 58 runs batted in. She is atop the record book in career doubles (70) and is second in hits (259), second in batting average (.414), second in runs (181), second in RBIs (184), second in walks (83), and fourth in home runs (24).

Sydney Jacobs – First Team (Outfield)
In her first season after transferring from Bethany Lutheran (Minn.), Jacobs provided spark at the leadoff spot for the Raiders. She leads the team in on-base percentage (.529), is third in stolen bases (15), and is third in OPS (1.069). Jacobs is one of three Raiders with a .400 batting average entering the week.

Chloe Gallegos – First Team (Catcher)
A .405 hitter entering the week, Gallegos receives her third career All-GPAC accolade and second-straight First Team nod. She is second on the team in RBIs (42), marking a single-season career-high in the category.

Tatum Schmalbeck – Second Team (Infield)
A two-time Second Team All-GPAC selection, Schmalbeck improved her numbers at the plate and in the circle this season. Schmalbeck hit .316 on the year, also notching 14 doubles and five home runs. Her first career home run came in a grand slam at College of Saint Mary on March 28, heating up the bat for the rest of the season. In the circle, Schmalbeck holds a 1.89 ERA with 25 strikeouts in 20 appearances.

Maddie Kvatek – Second Team (Outfield)
A first-time all-conference selection, Kvatek hit over .300 for the first time in her career this season, holding a .320 average. In 49 games, she drove in 27 runs and stole 15 bases, also driving out her first career home run on March 14. Kvatek also accumulated a career-best .430 slugging percentage.

Charli Bomgaars – Honorable Mention (Outfield)
Bomgaars receives her first all-conference accolade, serving as the everyday center fielder for the Raiders. The senior stole 21 bases, upping her career total to 66. She also laid down 17 sacrifice bunts and is now second all-time in career sacrifices (59).

Joining Kralik and Bouman as major award winners was Dakota Wesleyan's McKinnley Mull and Alison Ernsberger as Player and Freshman of the Year, respectively.

Don't forget to follow Northwestern College Athletics on Facebook @nwcraiders, Twitter @nwcraiders, and Instagram @nwcraiders! #RaidersStandOut

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Players Mentioned

#20 Kameryn Etherington: P; 5' 5"; Senior

#1 Charli Bomgaars: OF; 5' 4"; Senior

#12 Chloe Gallegos: C; 5' 5"; Senior

#33 Kate Kralik: P; 5' 7"; Senior

#15 Maddie Kvatek: OF; 5' 8"; Senior

#25 Gwen Mikkelsen: INF; 5' 8"; Senior

#2 Tatum Schmalbeck: P/INF; 5' 6"; Sophomore

#18 Sydney Jacobs: OF; 5' 6"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#20 Kameryn Etherington
: 5' 5"; Senior
: P

#1 Charli Bomgaars
: 5' 4"; Senior
: OF

#12 Chloe Gallegos
: 5' 5"; Senior
: C

#33 Kate Kralik
: 5' 7"; Senior
: P

#15 Maddie Kvatek
: 5' 8"; Senior
: OF

#25 Gwen Mikkelsen
: 5' 8"; Senior
: INF

#2 Tatum Schmalbeck
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: P/INF

#18 Sydney Jacobs
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: OF