February 03, 2006
Texas A&M softball All-Americans, Megan Gibson and Amanda Scarborough, have been selected to the Amateur Softball Association?â„¢s initial watch list for the 5th annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award, announced this week.
This award, which is considered one of the most prestigious honors in women?â„¢s collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country.
As a freshman, Gibson held the team and Big 12 Conference lead in slugging percentage (.823), on base percentage (.503), home runs (18) and walks (29). She was in the top-10 in the nation for homeruns, RBI per game and slugging percentage.
Scarborough, returns to the circle for her sophomore year as the 2005 Big 12 Player and Freshman of the Year. During league play she recorded the best batting average (.410) and the most conference wins (11). Scarborough was second on the team in slugging percentage (.719), RBI (43), doubles (15) and home runs (11).
The 2006 Pre-Season Watch List is comprised of 50 players representing 28 schools and 10 different NCAA Division I Conferences. The Big 12 placed 10 players from five different universities on the list (Baylor, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M).
USA Softball will announce its 25 finalists on April 5. A player does not have to appear on the initial watch list to be considered as a Top 25 finalist, but once the Top 25 is named the remaining finalist must be selected from that list.
Gibson, Scarborough and the rest of the defending Big 12 Champion Texas A&M softball team will kick-off its season at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz. on Feb. 10 at 3:00 p.m. against Fresno State. The Aggies?â„¢ home-opener is scheduled for Feb. 15 against Texas-San Antonio with the first pitch of the doubleheader set for 3:00 p.m. at the Aggie Softball Complex.
2006 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List:
(listed in alphabetical order)
Monica Abbott Salinas, CA Tennessee Jr. Pitcher
Caitlin Benyi Scottsdale, AZ UCLA Sr. Second Base
Tina Boutelle Katy, TX Texas Sr. Outfield
Courtney Bures Haymarket, VA Mississippi State So. Infield
Katie Burkhart San Luis Obispo, CA Arizona State So. Pitcher
Kasi Carroll Norris City, IL Georgia Jr. Pitcher/Outfield
Lauren Castle Lafayette, LA LSU Sr. Outfield
Autumn Champion Tustin, CA Arizona Sr. Outfield
Christina Clark Santa Ana, CA Fresno State Sr. Infield
Garland Cooper Mission Viejo, CA Northwestern Jr. First Base
Holly Currie Pisgah, AL Auburn Jr. Pitcher/First Base
Jennifer Curtier Lancaster, CA Pacific Sr. First Base
Megan Denny Crowley, TX Texas So. Pitcher
Norrelle Dickson Orange, CA Oklahoma Jr. Third Base/SS
Andrea Duran Selma, CA UCLA Sr. Third Base
Kristi Durant Placentia, CA Tennessee Sr. 3rd/Catcher
Sarah Fekete Maryville, TN Tennessee Sr. Outfield
Samantha Findlay Lockport, IL Michigan So. First Base
Courtnay Foster Tucson, AZ Northwestern Sr. Pitcher
Kristie Fox San Diego, CA Arizona Jr. Shortstop
Megan Gibson Spring, TX Texas A&M So. Pitcher/First Base
Danyele Gomez Metairie, LA Louisiana Lafayette Sr. Outfield
Tiffany Haas North Tustin, CA Michigan Sr. Second Base
Alicia Hollowell Suisun, CA Arizona Sr. Pitcher
Vanessa Iapala San Diego, CA Oregon State Sr. First Base /Catcher
Amber Jackson Fontana, CA Bethune-Cookman Sr. Shortstop
Chelsi Lake Keller, TX Baylor Jr. Infield
Lauren Lappin Anaheim, CA Stanford Sr. Shortstop
/Catcher
Sara Larquier Burbank, CA Virginia Sr. Third Base
Dominique Lastrapes Mission Viejo, CA Washington Jr. Second Base
Danielle Lawrie Langley, British Columbia Washington Fr. Pitcher
Jodie Legaspi Garden Grove, CA UCLA Jr. Shortstop
Caitlin Lowe Tustin, CA Arizona Jr. Shortstop
Brianne McGowan Reno, NV Oregon State Jr. Pitcher/First Base
Micaela Minner Sanger, TX Missouri So. Outfield
Catalina Morris Sonoita, AZ Stanford Sr. Outfield
Marissa Nichols Diamond Bar, CA UNLV So. Outfield
Cat Osterman Houston, TX Texas Sr. Pitcher
Jackie Rinehart Reno, NV Stanford Jr. Outfield
Jennie Ritter Dexter, MI Michigan Sr. Pitcher
Amanda Scarborough Magnolia, TX Texas A&M So. Pitcher
Lindsay Schutzler Monterey, CA Tennessee Jr. Infield
Harmony Schwethelm San Antonio, TX Baylor Sr. Infield/Outfield
Christine Sheridan Pasadena, MD Georgia Tech Sr. Shortstop
Anjelica Selden Vacaville, CA UCLA So. Pitcher
Kristina Thorson Lake Forest Park, WA California Sr. Pitcher
Angela Tincher Eagle Rock, VA Virginia Tech So. Pitcher
Stephanie VanBrakle Chambersburg, PA Alabama Sr. Pitcher
Kristin Vesley Phoenix, AZ Oklahoma Sr. Centerfield
Emily Zaplatosch Scottsdale, AZ UCLA Sr. First Base /Catcher