The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Softball headlines All-Big 12 awards, Hooks named Player of the Year
05.17.2011 | Softball
May 17, 2011
AUSTIN, Texas - The sixth-ranked Texas Softball team has earned a total of nine Big 12 Conference awards, including a league-best seven all-conference honors, Big 12 Player of the Year lauds and Big 12 Freshman of the Year accolades.
Senior catcher Amy Hooks was named Big 12 Player of the Year, becoming the Longhorns first ever winner in that category. Freshman shortstop Taylor Thom garnered Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors and became Texas' sixth rookie award winner and its second in as many seasons after Blaire Luna earned the honor in 2010.
Hooks, Thom, Luna and sophomore rightfielder Taylor Hoagland earned first-team accolades, while junior first baseman Lexy Bennett, junior third baseman Nadia Taylor and freshman centerfielder Brejae Washington garnered second-team honors. Thom, Luna and Hoagland were unanimously selected to the first team to lead all league teams.
The Longhorns four first-teamers equaled the school record of four, set in 1998, 1999, 2009 and 2010. Texas' four selections also tied Missouri for most first-team picks.
Hooks, a Mesquite, Texas, native earned her second All-Big 12 honor and her first first-team award. In league play, the senior hit .353 with a league-best six homers, 13 RBI, 12 runs scored and a .765 slugging percentage.
Thom, a Cedar Park, Texas, native was honored after leading the Big 12 in hitting during league games with her .444 batting average. The freshman led the Horns with 24 hits, scored 12 runs, drove in 10, stole six bases and tallied seven extra-base hits.
All-Big 12 and postseason honors are selected in a vote by the league's head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own players. This year's list had at least one student-athlete make either the first or second team from all 10 squads. Texas led the league with seven selections, while Missouri and Oklahoma had six student-athletes honored overall. Baylor had five honorees and Texas A&M earned four selections.
Missouri pitcher Chelsea Thomas earned Big 12 Pitcher of the Year honors and Tigers' head coach Ehren Earleywine received Big 12 Coach of the Year recognition. Mizzou's Megan Christopher and Texas A&M's Natalie Villarreal shared Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year accolades.
Texas returns to action on Friday, May 20 when it plays host to Texas State in its opening game at the NCAA Austin Regional. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. Central.
