Four Softball Players Receive Prestigious All-Pacific Region Honors
May 19, 2005
MADISON, Wisc. - The accolades continued for the Oregon State University softball program as four players earned prestigious All-Pacific Region honors, as was announced late Wednesday by the NFCA and Louisville Slugger. For the second consecutive year, junior first baseman Vanessa Iapala earned first team honors and was joined on the squad by sophomore pitcher Brianne McGowan and freshman designated player Cambria Miranda. Junior outfielder Adrienne Alo picked up second team acclaim. All four players are now eligible for All-America honors.
The four All-Region selections are the most ever for the Beavers in a single season. Prior to Iapala's first team honors last year, Oregon State had just three players garner first team status (Brynnen Guthrie, Tarrah Beyster, Janae Deffenbaugh) in the history of the program, making this season's three first team selections (Iapala, McGowan, Miranda) even more impressive.
Iapala, from San Diego, CA, was a second team All-Pacific-10 Conference selection and needs just three doubles to break the Oregon State all-time record of 44. She currently ranks in the OSU Top 10 in six different career batting categories (batting average, RBI, hits, doubles, home runs, bases on balls).
McGowan, from Reno, NV, was named the 2005 Pac-10 Pitcher of the Year after she became the only pitcher in OSU history to amass more than 30 victories in a single season - her 33 wins on the year rank second in the nation. McGowan tops the Oregon State charts with 293 strikeouts and has matched the single season record with 30 complete games. The 6-2 right-hander was named Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week four times and USA Softball National Player of the Week once.
Miranda, from Camarillo, CA, earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors in her inaugural season at OSU. She led the Beavers in batting average for most of the season and boasted a team-high 10-game hitting streak. Her nine stolen bases rank second on the squad and she is the only player to hit a double, triple, and home run on the year.
Alo, from Carson, CA, earned second team All-Pac-10 honors after leading the Beavers in home runs with 13 - the second highest single season total in OSU history. Alo ranks second on the Oregon State all-time charts for runs scored with 107. She has hit a pair of game-winning home runs for the Beavers this season with a walk-off 3-run shot against Wisconsin and a 9th inning bomb against No. 4 Stanford.
Oregon State will face University of Wisconsin-Green Bay on Friday at 5:30 p.m. PDT, in the opening day of the NCAA Regional Tournament played in Madison, WI.
All-Pacific RegionFirst Team Pitcher Brianne McGowan Oregon State Pitcher Alicia Hollowell Arizona Catcher Kristen Rivera Washington First Base Vanessa Iapala Oregon State Second Base Caitlin Benyi UCLA Third Base Vicky Galindo CAL Shortstop Kristie Fox Arizona Outfield Caitlin Lowe Arizona Outfield Catalina Morris Stanford Outfield Kaleo Eldredge CAL DP Cambria Miranda Oregon State Utility T.J. Eadus Oregon
Second Team Pitcher Kristina Thorson CAL Pitcher Anjelica Seldon UCLA Catcher Haley Woods CAL First Base Sarah Hyatt Washington Second Base Dominique Lastrapes Washington Third Base Michelle Smith Stanford Shortstop Lauren Lappin Stanford Outfield Autumn Champion Arizona Outfield Adrienne Alo Oregon State Outfield Lindsay James CAL DP no nomination Utility Kayala Meeks Loyola Marymount
