May 13, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - The All-Big Ten softball team has been selected and representing Penn State is junior left fielder Ashley Griffith (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) and freshman utility Lisa Akamine (Escondido, Calif.), the Big Ten Conference announced Wednesday. A selection to the second team, this is the first conference honor for Griffith while Akamine was third team selection as a designated player.
Throughout Big Ten play, Griffith went .328 at bat while producing nine sacrifice bunts and going 5-for-6 in stolen bases. As the team Defensive Player of the Year, she is known for making diving catches, but her biggest play of the year was beating a would-be home run to the fence and making the grab just beyond the field to secure a shutout against Wisconsin.
Akamine had a major impact in her first year with the Nittany Lions. Batting .273 thoughout Big Ten play, she was able to produce three doubles and four RBI. She collected 15 hits and four runs in the 20 games.She also saw time at pitcher and right field.
In addition, team captain and senior center fielder Sam Hovanec (Pittsburgh, Pa.) received the sportsmanship award.
The Penn State softball team finished the 2009 campaign 19-27 overall and 7-13 in the Big Ten Conference.
2009 All-Big Ten Softball Team First Team
Adrienne Monka, Freshman, NU - 1B Danielle Zymkowitz, Sophomore, ILL - 2B Tammy Williams, Senior, NU - SS Maggie Viefhaus, Junior, MICH - 3B Colleen McGlaughlin, Senior, IOWA - OF Angela Findlay, Junior, MICH - OF Dee Dee Hillman, Sophomore, OSU - OF Roya St. Clair, Junior, MICH - C Amanda Chidester, Freshman, MICH - UT Katrina Ross, Senior, IOWA - DP Brittany Weil, Senior, IOWA - P Nikki Nemitz, Junior, MICH - P
Second Team
Katie Brown, Junior, IOWA - 1B Whitney Cooper, Junior, OSU - 2B Alicia Herron, Freshman, OSU - SS Liane Horiuchi, Junior, PUR - 3B Hope Howell, Junior, ILL - OF Bree Evans, Freshman, MICH - OF Ashley Griffith, Junior, PSU - OF Sam Marder, Junior, OSU - C Molly Garst, Freshman, PUR - UT Michelle Batts, Sophomore, NU - DP Brianna Hassett, Senior, MINN - P Kim Reeder, Senior, OSU - P
Third Team
Malisa Barnes, Sophomore, MINN - 1B Nicole Pauly, Junior, NU - 2B Emily Bergeson, Senior, IND - SS Kelley Wedel, Freshman, ILL - 3B Katie Keim, Freshman, IOWA - 3B Hollie Pinchback, Sophomore, ILL - OF Jennifer Krueger, Sophomore, WIS - OF Liz Watkins, Freshman, IOWA - C Jenna Alexander, Junior, PUR - C Sara Olson, Sophomore, IND - UT Lisa Akamine, Freshman, PSU - DP Suzie Rzegocki, Sophomore, PUR - P
Player of the Year Tammy Williams - Northwestern
Pitcher of the Year Nikki Nemitz - Michigan
Freshman of the Year Adrienne Monka - Northwestern
Coach of the Year Carol Hutchins - Michigan