January 30, 2008
Texas A&M softball All-Americans Megan Gibson and Amanda Scarborough have been named to the initial watch list for 7th Annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year award, the Amateur Softball Association announced today.
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.
?I am extremely happy to see Megan and Amanda being recognized for their incredible efforts on the playing field,? A&M head coach Jo Evans said. ?They have shown great leadership on and off the field and take tremendous pride in playing softball at Texas A&M. Megan and Amanda are both unselfish players who put the needs of our team first and they both work hard to instill their confidence and calm presence in their teammates.?
Gibson boasts a .370 career batting average, collecting 135 RBIs on 31 doubles, two triples, and an A&M career record 43 homeruns. Her A&M career record of 118 walks is just seven shy of breaking the Big 12 record. In her junior campaign, the Spring, Texas-native amassed a 17-4 record, making 25 appearances in the circle. En route to 14 complete games, Gibson logged eight shutouts. At the plate she hit .388, posting 41 RBIs on nine doubles, two triples and a team-leading 13 homeruns.
Scarborough carries a career .347 batting average, driving in 112 runs off 39 doubles, six triples, and 23 longballs. The ace from Magnolia, Texas went 26-10 on the mound with a 1.16 ERA, striking out 233 batters in 221 2/3 innings of work during her junior year. Scarborough lined a team-high 11 doubles, adding in six triples and seven homeruns to drive in 46 RBIs.
The 2008 Pre-Season Watch List is comprised of 50 players representing 34 schools and 14 different NCAA Division I Conferences.
The ASA will announce the 25 finalists on April 9. 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.
2008 USA Softball Player of the Year Watch List
Name ?- School ?- Year ?- Position ?- Hometown
Callista Balko (Arizona) ?- Senior ?- Catcher ?- Tucson, Ariz.
Brandice Balschmiter (Massachusetts) ?- Junior ?- Pitcher - Manasquan, N.J.
Chelsea Bramlett (Mississippi State) ?- Sophomore ?- Catcher/Infield ?- Cordova, Tenn.
Savannah Brown (Georgia Tech) - Senior ?- Catcher/Third Base ?- San Diego, Calif.
Katie Burkhart (Arizona State) ?- Senior ?- Pitcher - San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Tonya Callahan (Tennessee) ?- Senior ?- Infield ?- Holden, Mo.
Ashley Charters (Washington) ?- Senior ?- Infield ?- Beaverton, Ore.
Kaitlin Cochran (Arizona State) - Junior - Outfield - Yorba Linda, Calif.
Krista Colburn (UCLA) ?- Senior ?- Outfield ?- Mukilteo, Wash.
Meagan Denny (Texas) ?- Senior ?- Pitcher ?- Crowley, Texas
Lauren Eckermann (Oklahoma) ?- Senior ?- Pitcher - Brenham, Texas
Cristi Ecks (South Florida) ?- Junior ?- Pitcher ?- Manassas, Va.
Angela Findlay (Michigan) ?- Sophomore ?- Outfield ?- Lockport, Ill.
Samantha Findlay (Michigan) ?- Senior ?- First Base - Lockport, Ill.
Rachel Folden (Marshall) ?- Senior ?- Catcher/Utility ?- Baldwin Park, Calif.
Megan Gibson (Texas A&M) ?- Senior ?- Pitcher/First Base ?- Spring, Texas
Alissa Haber (Stanford) ?- Sophomore ?- Outfield- Newark, Calif.
Whitney Haller (Georgia Tech) ?- Junior ?- First Base ?- Marietta, Ga.
Molly Hill (Nebraska) ?- Junior ?- Pitcher ?- Wayne, Neb.
Dani Hofer (LSU) ?- Junior ?- Pitcher ?- Safety Harbor, Fla.
Becca Heteniak (DePaul) ?- Sophomore ?- Pitcher - Simi Valley, Calif.
Tiffany Huff (Tennessee) ?- Sophomore ?- Catcher/First Base ?- Saugus, Calif.
Carley Hughes (UNC Wilmington) ?- Junior ?- Catcher ?- Pittsboro, N.C.
Annie Kinsey (Pennsylvania) ?- Senior ?- Second Base ?- West Hills, Calif.
Sam Marder (Ohio State) ?- Sophomore ?- Catcher - Calabasas, Calif.
Cambria Miranda (Oregon State) ?- Senior ?- Second Base?- Camarillo, Calif.
Taryne Mowatt (Arizona) ?- Senior ?- Pitcher ?- Corona, Calif.
Kara Nelson (Illinois State) ?- Sophomore ?- Third Base ?- Moline, Ill.
Stacey Nelson (Florida) ?- Junior ?- Pitcher ?- Los Alamitos, Calif.
Emily Nichols (Iowa) - Senior ?- Catcher/Infield - Portland, Ore.
Chrissy Owens (Alabama) ?- Senior ?- Pitcher ?- Miami, Fla.
Lauren Parker (Alabama) ?- Junior ?- Infield ?- Port Neches, Texas
Nicole Pauly (Northwestern) ?- Sophomore ?- Infield - Palatine, Ill.
Missy Penna (Stanford) ?- Junior ?- Pitcher/Utility ?- Miami, Fla.
Melissa Pura (Cal Poly) ?- Junior ?- Shortstop - Salinas, Calif.
Brette Reagan (Baylor) ?- Junior ?- Third Base ?- Magnolia, Texas
Amanda Renth (Missouri) ?- Junior ?- Infield - Mascoutah, Ill.
Samantha Ricketts (Oklahoma) - Junior - First Base - San Jose, Calif.
Kate Robinson (Hawaii) ?- Senior ?- Pitcher/First Base ?- Honolulu, Hawaii
Killian Roessner (LSU) - Senior ?- Catcher - Manasquan, N.J.
Brittany Rogers (Alabama) ?- Junior ?- Outfield - Dacula, Ga.
Amanda Scarborough (Texas A&M) - Senior - Pitcher/First Base - Magnolia, Texas
Anjelica Selden (UCLA) ?- Senior ?- Pitcher - Vacaville, CA
Kirsten Shortridge (Baylor) ?- Sophomore ?- Pitcher/Outfield?- Keller, Texas
Holly Tankersley (Louisiana-Lafayette) ?- Senior ?- Designated Player ?- Kirbyville, Texas
Angela Tincher (Virginia Tech) - Senior - Pitcher - Eagle Rock, Va.
Jessica Valis (Houston) ?- Junior ?- Shortstop ?- Shiner, Texas
Sandy Vojik (DePaul) ?- Senior ?- Utility ?- Riverside, Ill.
Kim Waleszonia (Florida) ?- Junior ?- Utility - Fontana, Calif.
Tammy Williams (Northwestern) ?- Junior ?- Infield - Roscoe, Mo.