May 9, 2007
Oklahoma City---The Amateur Softball Association, the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, announced today the top ten finalists for the 6th Annual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award. For the first time in six years, the top ten finalists actually consist of 11 players after there was a tie for the 10th position.
An initial "Watch List" was released on January 30 and the list of 25 finalists was announced on April 4. The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, in its sixth year, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by NCAA Division I collegiate softball players across the country.
The eleven finalists for the 6th Annual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award, consists of three players who were selected as top 10 finalists in 2006. There are also five seniors, three juniors, two sophomores and one freshman among the list.
Top 11 Finalists listed in alphabetical order are:
Monica Abbott (Tennessee) - Senior - Pitcher - Salinas, Calif.
Katie Burkhart (Arizona State) - Junior - Pitcher - San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Kaitlin Cochran (Arizona State) - Sophomore - Outfielder - Yorba Linda, Calif.
Norrelle Dickson (Oklahoma) - Senior - Third Base - Orange, Calif.
Caitlin Lever (Georgia Tech) - Senior - Outfielder - Amherst, NY
Caitlin Lowe (Arizona) - Senior - Outfielder - Tustin, Calif.
Samantha Ricketts (Oklahoma) - Sophomore - First Base - San Jose, Calif.
Jenn Salling (Oregon) - Freshman - Shortstop - Port Coquitlam, B.C.
Amanda Scarborough (Texas A&M) - Junior - Pitcher/First Base - Magnolia, Texas
Lindsay Schutzler (Tennessee) - Senior - Outfielder - Monterey, Calif.
Angela Tincher (Virginia Tech) - Junior - Pitcher - Eagle Rock, Va.
On May 29 the list will be cut to three and those final three players will travel to Oklahoma City for the announcement of the winner of the 6th Annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award during opening ceremonies of the 2007 NCAA Women's College World Series.