Fresno State All-America pitcher Jamie Southern (Clovis, Calif.) is a Top 10 finalist for the Fourth Annual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award, announced this afternoon by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA).
With the preseason list starting at 40 student-athletes and trimmed down to 25 last month, Southern is a top 10 finalist for the fourth straight year. She is one of four seniors on the list and the only senior pitcher/utility player selected.
A finalist as a freshman, USA Softball will cut the list down to its final three finalists on May 31. The three finalists will be flown to Oklahoma City for the announcement of the winner at the 2005 NCAA Women's College World Series. This award will recognize outstanding athletic achievement by a female collegiate softball player.
The ten finalist for the 2005 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award are:
Monica Abbott (Tennessee), So., PCaitlin Lowe (Arizona), So., OF
Jessica Merchant (Michigan), Sr., SS
Cat Osterman (Texas), Jr., P
Jennie Ritter (Michigan), Jr., P
Kristen Rivera (Washington), Sr., C
Heather Scaglione (Oklahoma), Sr., C
Amanda Scarborough (Texas A&M), Fr., P
Jamie Southern (Fresno State), Sr., P/UT
Kristin Vesely (Oklahoma), Jr., OF
Past award recipients include 2004 winner Jessica van der Linden (Florida State), Cat Osterman (2003, Texas) and Stacey Nuveman (2002, UCLA).