OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — All-American Killian Roessner and All-Southeastern Conference selection Dani Hofer were two of 50 players named to the seventh annual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year watch list, as announced by the Amateur Softball Association on Wednesday.
The pair were two of 10 players from the SEC named to the initial watch list. LSU is among 12 schools, including three SEC schools, that have multiple players on the list.
A first-team NFCA All-American and All-South Region selection, while also earning second-team All-SEC honors, Roessner was named the SEC Player of the Week once and Louisiana Hitter of the Week twice last season. The senior catcher broke the LSU single-season record and leads the SEC with 19 runners caught stealing, while allowing just 28 stolen bases on the year. She also tied for the league lead and the school single-season record with four runners picked off.
At the plate, she recorded the third most hits in consecutive at-bats in NCAA history, posting 10 straight hits in 10 consecutive at-bats. The Manasquan, N.J., native ranked in the top 10 in the SEC in doubles with a career-best 15, while also posting career highs with six home runs, 36 RBIs and 23 runs scored last season. With 17 multiple-hit games and nine multiple-RBI games, she knocked in the game-winning run in six games, including a win over nationally ranked Florida.
A first-team All-SEC selection and second-team NFCA All-South Region selection, Hofer was a two-time SEC Pitcher of the Week and a four-time Louisiana Pitcher of the Week last season. The junior from Safety Harbor, Fla., ranked 20th in the NCAA in earned run average as part of a Tiger pitching staff that ranked second in the nation in ERA. In addition, with a 24-3 record, Hofer ranked 29th nationally in wins. Hofer threw a pair of no-hitters last season and ranked in the top 10 in the SEC in wins, ERA and strikeouts.
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 three-time All-American Britni Sneed was one of 10 finalists for the award in 2002, while former two-time All-American Kristin Schmidt was a top 10 finalist in 2003. For the last two seasons, three-time All-American Leslie Klein was one of 25 finalists for the honor.
The 2008 Preseason 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.
Just days before the start of postseason play, a list of 10 finalists will be named and released on May 7. The final three finalists will be announced May 21 with the winner of the 2008 USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award being announced prior to the start of the 2008 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.
2008 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List: (listed in alphabetical order)
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.