2016 All-Conference Teams
OGDEN, Utah (May 11, 2016) -- The Big Sky Conference has announced the 2016 Softball All-Conference team and individual award winners. The selections were made in a vote by the league’s eight head coaches earlier this week. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players.
Weber State’s Aubrey Whitmer was named the 2016 Big Sky Conference Player of the Year after leading the Wildcats to their first Big Sky regular-season championship. Whitmer finished the regular season ranked second in the conference batting average (.425) and total bases (102), and led the league in doubles (19) and sacrifice flies (6). In conference play, Whitmer posted a league-best .474 batting average and was fourth in RBIs with 27.
Sacramento State sophomore, Celina Matthias was named the 2016 Big Sky Pitcher of the Year after finishing the regular season with a 19-12 overall record and an 11-3 mark in conference play. The right-hander was second in overall ERA (2.83) and tops in innings pitched with 200.2 on the season. She was second in strikeouts with 125 and her 19 overall wins was the best in the Big Sky this season.
Montana’s Sydney Stites picked up Freshman of the Year honors after a strong rookie season. The Bozeman, Mont., native started all 52 regular-season games for the Griz with a .380 batting average with 43 RBIs, 11 homeruns, 17 doubles and 45 runs scored.
Idaho State’s Alex Portesi earned the league’s Top Newcomer nod. The junior had a strong season at ISU after transferring in from Farleigh Dickinson. The Chino, Calif., native started in 41 contests this season and finished the season with a .397 batting average. She also knocked in 21 RBIs to go along with 23 runs scored.
Whitmer, Matthias and Stites all picked up First Team All-Conference honors while Portesti was an Honorable Mention at third base. Weber State had four student-athletes earn First Team honors while Montana had three players earn First Team accolades.
Weber State will host the 2016 Big Sky Conference Softball Championship presented by Red Lion® Hotels. Tournament action begins tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. and all games from this season’s tournament can be seen for free on WatchBigSky.com.
Big Sky Conference 2016 Softball Individual Award Winners
Player of the Year - Aubrey Whitmer, Weber State
Pitcher of the Year - Celina Matthias, Sacramento State
Freshman of the Year - Sydney Stites, Montana
Newcomer of the Year - Alex Portesi, Idaho State