FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Over the weekend, the Sunshine State Conference held its Hall of Fame Induction ceremony for the first time in four years, as Saint Leo alumna Dr. Katie Stowers (formerly Katie Heintz) was officially inducted into the SSC Hall of Fame as part of the conference's Class of 2022.
 
From 2002-06, Dr. Stowers made a lasting impact the Lion Pride would never forget. In her four years at Saint Leo, she was a member of the softball team and was actively involved in the University community.

Donning the Green & Gold, the standout pitcher "imprinted her paw" in the school record books, posting a career 0.89 ERA and a Sunshine State Conference all-time 1209 strikeouts, which also ranks 11th all-time in NCAA DII. Stowers currently holds the NCAA DII record with 45 combined strikeouts in a game. In just 147 appearances, Stowers compiled a .651 winning percentage, 82 wins, 44 career shutouts, and 10 saves, while leading the Lions to two, NCAA tournament appearances in 2005 and 2006.

The Portland, Ore. native racked up numerous honors along the way, including All-SSC Second team in 2004, First team in 2005 and 2006 and a three-time All-Region selection from 2004-06. The two-time All-American was also named to the SSC Silver Anniversary Softball team.

Outside the pitcher's circle, Stowers excelled in her field of study, winning the Chemistry Student of the Year award in 2003 while serving as the student representative for the Saint Leo Board of Trustees from 2004-06. Stowers graduated from Saint Leo in 2006 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology before moving on to Nova Southeastern to complete her Doctorate in Osteopathy.
 
Dr. Stowers is the 20th softball player inducted into the SSC Hall of Fame that dates back to 1992, and the third Lion to be enshrined to the conference's honored Softball group, joining Desiree Croteau ('01) and Denyve Duncan-Boyle ('05).
 
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