LSU Gold

Shortridge Among Softball Player of the Year Finalists

by Matt Dunaway
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Shortridge Among Softball Player of the Year Finalists

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – LSU centerfielder/pitcher Kirsten Shortridge was named one of 25 finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Award Wednesday as announced by the Amateur Softball Association [ASA] of America.

The 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.

Shortridge, a USA Softball National Player of the Week recipient earlier this season, joins three-time All-American Britni Sneed, who was one of 10 finalists for the award in 2002 followed by two-time All-American Kristin Schmidt during the 2003 season. In 2006 and 2007, three-time All-American Leslie Klein was one of 25 finalists for the honor.

Shortridge has racked up a .433 batting average. Her 55 hits and 19 multi-hit games rank third in the SEC. The Keller, Texas native also has scored a team-best 33 runs to go along with 32 stolen bases. She has posted a 3-1 mark with a 1.99 ERA in the pitching circle.

The Top 25 list represents 20 schools and seven different conferences. It’s comprised of 10 seniors, seven juniors, one sophomore and seven freshmen. The 2010 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be chosen from the 25 finalists.

Just days before the start of post-season play, a list of 10 finalists will be named and released on May 12. The three finalists will be announced two weeks later while the winner of the 2010 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award will be announced prior to the start of the 2010 NCAA Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.

The Tigers wrap up a seven-game road swing with a Wednesday twin bill at No. 6 Alabama. First pitch is on-tap for 5 p.m. and both games will be broadcasted live on ESPN 104.5 and The X 104.9 FM in the Baton Rouge area. Live stats also will be available on LSUsports.com along with in-game updates via www.twitter.com/lsu_softball.

 

USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Finalists

Name (School) – Year – Position – Hometown Valerie Arioto (California) – Junior – Utility – Pleasanton, Calif.
Chelsea Bramlett (Mississippi State) – Senior – Catcher/Infield – Cordova, Tenn.
*Kayla Braud (Alabama) -Freshman – Infielder – Eugene, Ore.
*Raven Chavanne (Tennessee) – Freshman – Third Base/Outfield -Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Francesca Enea (Florida) – Senior – Outfield – Woodland Hills, Calif.
Amber Flores (Oklahoma) – Senior – Infield – Calexico, Calif.
*Kenzie Fowler (Arizona) – Freshman – Pitcher – Tucson, Ariz.
*Teagan Gerhart (Stanford) – Freshman – Pitcher/Infielder – Norco, Calif.
Alissa Haber (Stanford) – Senior  – Outfield- Newark, Calif.
Sarah Hamilton (Florida State) – Junior – Pitcher – Tallahassee, Fla.
Megan Langenfeld (UCLA) – Senior – Pitcher/First Base – Bakersfield, Calif.
Brittany Lastrapes (Arizona) – Junior – Outfield – Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Danielle Lawrie (Washington) – Senior – Pitcher – Langley, B.C.
*Blaire Luna (Texas) – Freshman – Pitcher – Austin, Texas
* Jen Mineau (Fordham) – Sophomore – Pitcher – Schaghticoke, N.Y.
*Keilani Ricketts (Oklahoma) – Freshman – Pitcher – San Jose, Calif.
Melissa Roth (Louisville) – Senior – Catcher – Long Beach, Calif.
*Hope Rush (Georgia Tech) – Freshman – Pitcher/DP – Stockbridge, Ga.
Taylor Schlopy (Georgia) – Junior – Pitcher/Outfield – West Hills, Calif.
Kirsten Shortridge (LSU) – Senior – Pitcher/Outfield- Keller, Texas *Jenn Salling (Washington) – Junior – Infield – Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Danielle Spaulding (North Carolina) – Senior – First Base/Pitcher – Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
*Jordan Taylor (Michigan) – Junior – Pitcher – Valencia, Calif.
Rhea Taylor (Missouri) – Junior – Outfield – Buford, Ga.
Jen Yee (Georgia Tech) – Senior – Second Base – North Delta, B.C.

*Was not on Top 50 Watch list