Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) softball player Mia Ruther was named to the all-tournament team following the conclusion of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Leadoff Classic March 8 to 10 at Columbus, Ga.

Ruther, a sophomore from Burlington, batted .462 in the tournament, collecting six hits, including a double, in 13 at-bats. She also scored six runs and drove in two runs.

DMACC, ranked sixth in the most recent Division II poll from the NJCAA, went 3-2 in the tournament, collecting wins against Central Alabama Community College (CACC), Gulf Coast State College (GCSC) and Tallahassee Community College (TCC). The Bears dropped games to GCSC and Indian River State College (IRSC).

The Bears won their pool on March 8 with victories against CACC and GCSC and qualified for the Championship Division, meaning they placed among the top eight teams in the tournament. DMACC's five tournament games came against NJCAA Division I opponents and four of those teams were or had been ranked among the top 20 teams in NJCAA Division I.

Thus far this season, the DMACC softball team, which is 6-3, has played eight of its nine games against NJCAA Division I teams. And the Bears did it despite having only one outdoor practice, that taking place in Georgia.

The DMACC softball team will play Allen County Community College (ACCC), Labette Community College (LCC), Neosho County Community College (NCCC) and Johnson County Community College over the next several days. The Bears will face ACCC March 17 at Iola, Kan., LCC March 18 at Parsons, Kan., NCCC March 19 at Chanute, Kan., and JCCC March 20 at Overland Park, Kan.