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OGDEN, Utah (May 8, 2013) - The Big Sky Conference has announced the inaugural softball All-Conference team and individual award winners. The selections were made in a vote by the league’s seven head coaches earlier this week. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.
Idaho State catcher Vicky Galasso was named Player of the Year, while Portland State senior Anna Bertrand was named Pitcher of the Year. Idaho State’s Maddy Hickman was named Freshman of the Year. Southern Utah pitcher Ariel Zimmerman was named Newcomer of the Year.
Galasso finished the season leading the league with a .544 batting average in conference play and a .476 overall average. She also led the conference in slugging percentage with a 1.059. Galasso was first with 31 RBIs in conference and 57 overall. The sophomore from Huntington Beach, Calif., led an Idaho State offense to a league-leading 38 home runs as a team and a .383 team batting average in conference. Galasso was named Player of the Week three times this season.
Anna Bertrand, a senior from McMinnville, Ore., finished the season with a 2.21 ERA in conference and a 2.88 overall ERA. She was first in the league in strikeouts with 186 overall and 101 of those coming in conference play. Bertrand had 186 of Portland State’s 236 strikeouts. Overall, she held her opponents to a .238 batting average. Bertrand has been named Pitcher of the Week five times this season.
Hickman, a freshman from Huntington Beach, Calif., has played in all 49 of Idaho State’s games, starting in 48. She was fourth in overall batting average with a .368, finishing only behind three of her teammates. Hickman had a .597 overall slugging percentage and was third in overall RBIs with 43.
Southern Utah’s Ariel Zimmerman, a junior from Lehi, Utah, who transferred from Salt Lake Community College, led the Thunderbirds with a 4.44 ERA, pitching 167 innings with 107 strikeouts. Opponents hit .317 off of her as she faced 712 batters.
ISU’s Galasso and Hickman were joined on the First-Team by three other teammates; outfielder Katelyn Marquez, pitcher/utility player Amanda Fitzsimmons and utility player Terah Blackwell. Portland State had three players receive First-Team honors in Bertrand, third baseman Crysta Conn and outfielder Becca Bliss. Southern Utah placed two players on the First-Team in shortstop Kelli Hales and outfielder Kylee Wolf.
Northern Colorado second baseman Melissa Marcovecchio and Sacramento State pitcher Caitlin Brooks rounded out the first team.
Galasso, Hickman, and Fitzsimmons were all unanimous selections.
Idaho State, Portland State, Southern Utah and Sacramento State will compete in the inaugural Big Sky Championship this weekend in Pocatello, Idaho.
All of the conference tournament games can be viewed on EISN at ihigh.com/eisnnetwork.
Big Sky Conference 2013 Individual Award Winners
|
Player of the Year |
Pitcher of the Year |
Freshman of the Year |
Newcomer of the Year |
|
*Vicky Galasso, Idaho State |
Anna Bertrand, Portland State |
Maddy Hickman, Idaho State |
*Ariel Zimmerman, Southern Utah |
|
*Unanimous Selection |
2013 Big Sky Softball
All-Conference Teams
First Team
|
Position |
Name |
School |
Year |
|
Catcher |
*Vicky Galasso |
Idaho State |
Sophomore |
|
First Base |
*Maddy Hickman |
Idaho State |
Freshman |
|
Second Base |
Melissa Marcovecchio |
Northern Colorado |
Sophomore |
|
Shortstop |
Kelli Hales |
Southern Utah |
Freshman |
|
Third Base |
Crysta Conn |
Portland State |
Junior |
|
Outfielder |
Kately Marquez |
Idaho State |
Freshman |
|
|
Becca Bliss |
Portland State |
Junior |
|
|
Kylee Wolf |
Southern Utah |
Freshman |
|
Pitcher |
Anna Bertrand |
Portland State |
Senior |
|
|
Caitlin Brooks |
Sacramento State |
Sophomore |
|
Pitcher/Utility |
*Amanda Fitzsimmons |
Idaho State |
Senior |
|
Utility |
Terah Blackwell |
Idaho State |
Junior |
*Unanimous Selection
SECOND TEAM
|
Position |
Name |
School |
Year |
|
Catcher |
Lauran Bliss |
Portland State |
Freshman |
|
First Base |
Brittany Hendrickson |
Portland State |
Sophomore |
|
Second Base |
Carly McEachran |
Portland State |
Senior |
|
Shortstop |
Alicia Fine |
Portland State |
Sophomore |
|
Third Base |
Becky Molyneaux |
Idaho State |
Senior |
|
Outfielder |
Sadie Lopez |
Portland State |
Senior |
|
|
Kelli Frye |
Sacramento State |
Senior |
|
|
Mikkel Griffin |
Southern Utah |
Senior |
|
Pitcher |
Ariel Zimmerman |
Southern Utah |
Junior |
|
|
Morgan Allaband |
Weber State |
Sophomore |
|
Pitcher/Utility |
Mikayla Duffy |
Northern Colorado |
Sophomore |
|
Utility |
Kelsey Bryant |
Southern Utah |
Senior |
Honorable Mention:
Catcher – Kortney Solis - Sacramento State; Katie Olinger - Southern Utah
First Base - Madison Resley - Southern Utah; Krystin Kubo - Weber State
Second Base - Brooke Ford - Weber State
Shortstop - Hailey Breakwell - Idaho State; Cami Bennett - North Dakota; Brooke Silva - Weber State
Third Base - Emily McCormick - Sacramento State; Kadi Henderson - Southern Utah; Alyson Kulp - Weber State
Outfielder - Katee Wiley - Idaho State; Amanda Johnson - North Dakota; Lindsey Smith - Northern Colorado; Paige Martin - Sacramento State; London Clarke - Weber State
Pitcher - Kylee Colvin - Weber State
Pitcher/Utility - Caralyn Chewning - North Dakota
Utility - Kristin (D) Jantzer - North Dakota; Jamie Pollak - Northern Colorado; Alyssa Vanderdrink - Sacramento State