OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Two-time Easton All-American Lauren Castle was one of 50 players named to the fifth annual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year watch list, as announced by the Amateur Softball Association on Tuesday.
Castle, a 2004 and 2005 Easton All-American, has been named to the NFCA All-South Region first team for each of the past two years after transferring to LSU from UL-Lafayette. The outfielder/designated player from Lafayette has tied for the team lead in batting average each of the past two seasons and was selected one of two team captains for the 2006 season.
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award, considered the Heisman Trophy of women’s collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country.
Former Tiger All-American Britni Sneed was one of 10 finalists for the award in 2002, while former All-American Kristin Schmidt was a top 10 finalist in 2004.
The 2006 watch list is comprised of 50 players representing 28 schools and 10 different NCAA Division I Conferences. 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.
Just days before the start of postseason play, a list of 10 finalists will be named and released on May 10. The three finalists will be announced May 31. The winner of the 2006 USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award will be announced during the NCAA Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.
A replica of the award is on permanent display in the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, along with photos of the winner. An additional replica of the award will be presented to the player’s academic institution.
The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of amateur softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. As the National Governing Body, the ASA is responsible for identifying, selecting and training male and female athletes to compete in World, Pan American and Olympic competitions.
2006 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List:
(listed in alphabetical order)
Monica Abbott, Salinas, Calif., Tennessee, Jr., Pitcher
Caitlin Benyi, Scottsdale, Ariz., UCLA, Sr., Second Base
Tina Boutelle, Katy, Texas, Texas, Sr., Outfield
Courtney Bures, Haymarket, Va., Mississippi State, So., Infield
Katie Burkhart, San Luis Obispo, Calif., Arizona State, So., Pitcher
Kasi Carroll, Norris City, Ill., Georgia, Jr., Pitcher/Outfield
Lauren Castle, Lafayette, La., LSU, Sr. , Outfield
Autumn Champion, Tustin, Calif., Arizona, Sr., Outfield
Christina Clark, Santa Ana, Calif., Fresno State, Sr., Infield
Garland Cooper, Mission Viejo, Calif., Northwestern, Jr., First Base
Holly Currie, Pisgah, Ala., Auburn, Jr., Pitcher/First Base
Jennifer Curtier, Lancaster, Calif., Pacific, Sr., First Base
Megan Denny, Crowley, Texas, Texas, So., Pitcher
Norrelle Dickson, Orange, Calif., Oklahoma, Jr., Third Base/Shortstop
Andrea Duran, Selma, Calif., UCLA, Sr., Third Base
Kristi Durant, Placentia, Calif., Tennessee, Sr., Third Base/Catcher
Sarah Fekete, Maryville, Tenn., Tennessee, Sr., Outfield
Samantha Findlay, Lockport, Ill., Michigan, So., First Base
Courtnay Foster, Tucson, Ariz., Northwestern, Sr., Pitcher
Kristie Fox, San Diego, Calif., Arizona, Jr. , Shortstop
Megan Gibson, Spring, Texas, Texas A&M, So., Pitcher/First Base
Danyele Gomez, Metairie, La., Louisiana Lafayette, Sr., Outfield
Tiffany Haas, North Tustin, Calif., Michigan, Sr., Second Base
Alicia Hollowell, Suisun, Calif., Arizona, Sr., Pitcher
Vanessa Iapala, San Diego, Calif., Oregon State, Sr. , First Base /Catcher
Amber Jackson, Fontana, Calif., Bethune-Cookman, Sr., Shortstop
Chelsi Lake, Keller, Texas, Baylor, Jr., Infield
Lauren Lappin, Anaheim, Calif., Stanford, Sr., Shortstop/Catcher
Sara Larquier, Burbank, Calif., Virginia, Sr. , Third Base
Dominique Lastrapes, Mission Viejo, Calif., Washington, Jr., Second Base
Danielle Lawrie, Langley, British Columbia, Washington, Fr., Pitcher
Jodie Legaspi, Garden Grove, Calif., UCLA, Jr., Shortstop
Caitlin Lowe, Tustin, Calif., Arizona, Jr. , Shortstop
Brianne McGowan, Reno, Nev., Oregon State, Jr., Pitcher/First Base
Micaela Minner, Sanger, Texas, Missouri, So., Outfield
Catalina Morris, Sonoita, Ariz., Stanford, Sr., Outfield
Marissa Nichols, Diamond Bar, Calif., UNLV, So. , Outfield
Cat Osterman, Houston, Texas, Texas, Sr., Pitcher
Jackie Rinehart, Reno, Nev., Stanford, Jr., Outfield
Jennie Ritter, Dexter, Mich., Michigan, Sr., Pitcher
Amanda Scarborough, Magnolia, Texas, Texas A&M, So., Pitcher
Lindsay Schutzler, Monterey, Calif., Tennessee, Jr. , Infield
Harmony Schwethelm, San Antonio, Texas, Baylor, Sr. , Infield/Outfield
Christine Sheridan, Pasadena, Md., Georgia Tech, Sr., Shortstop
Anjelica Selden, Vacaville, Calif., UCLA, So. , Pitcher
Kristina Thorson, Lake Forest Park, WA, California, Sr., Pitcher
Angela Tincher, Eagle Rock, Va., Virginia Tech, So., Pitcher
Stephanie VanBrakle, Chambersburg, Penn., Alabama, Sr., Pitcher
Kristin Vesley, Phoenix, Ariz., Oklahoma, Sr., Centerfield
Emily Zaplatosch, Scottsdale, Ariz., UCLA, Sr., First Base /Catcher