Conference

RICHARDSON, Texas – University of Texas at Tyler senior utility player Megan “Roo” Richardson, East Texas Baptist University junior right-handed pitcher Ayrika Henderson, Hardin-Simmons University junior shortstop Courtney Clark and Howard Payne University senior right-handed pitcher Jenna Middleton all earned top individual honors to highlight the 2009 American Southwest Conference softball awards following a division-only vote by head coaches, the conference office announced on Tuesday (May 5).

Richardson (Platteville, CO / Metro State) was named East Division Player of the Year after batting .420 with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs from the leadoff spot. She led the conference in on base percentage (.567), runs scored (55) and walks (34). Richardson did not make an error in the field in 132 chances and also helped the Patriots to their first ASC title.

Henderson (Woden, TX / Northeast TX CC) was voted East Division Pitcher of the Year after going 17-3 and winning the league ERA title (0.37). Her victory total was tops in the ASC and she also led the league in strikeouts (161) and lowest opponents batting average (.147). Henderson logged 114 2/3 innings and also helped pitch the Lady Tigers to the East Division title.

Clark (Eula, TX / EHS) was named West Division Player of the Year after batting .444 with eight home runs, 12 doubles, five triples, 32 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. She led the ASC with 67 hits and 102 assists in the field. Clark’s triple total tied her for the league lead and she crossed the plate 49 times, which tied her for tops in the West Division. She also helped the Cowgirls to the West title.

Middleton (Katy, TX / KHS) was voted West Divison Pitcher of the Year after going 16-5 with two saves and a 2.28 ERA. She had the most wins of any hurler in the West and fanned 35 of 94 batters looking, which was also a West-Divison high mark. Middleton helped the Lady Jackets to a runner-up finish in the West and a berth in the ASC tournament.

All four were first team selections in their respective divisions.

Other East Division award winners were Texas-Tyler sophomore outfielder Whitney Wyly (Hardin, TX / Texas-San Antonio), who was named newcomer of the year after breaking ASC records for home runs (16) and RBIs (70) in a single season. Her teammate, catcher Ashley Klores (Franklin, TX / FHS), was named freshman of the year. She batted .422 and did not make an error. LeTourneau University sophomore catcher Kylie Packard (Lindale, TX / LHS) was named sportsmanship athlete of the year. ETBU’s Janae Shirley took home coach of the year honors after guiding the Lady Tigers to their first division crown and No. 1 national ranking since 2004.

Other West Division award winners were Howard Payne junior third baseman Becca McDaniel (Mineral Wells, TX / MWHS), who was dubbed as newcomer of the year after batting .374 with five homers and four triples. Hardin-Simmons catcher Taylor Namey (Fort Worth, TX / Justin Northwest HS) earned freshman of the year honors. She batted .380 and led the West in home runs (14), slugging percentage (.759) and RBIs (59). Howard Payne senior outfielder Kate McLaughlin (Brock, TX / BHS) was earned the honor of sportsmanship athlete of the year. Schreiner’s Don Green and Hardin-Simmons’ Rita Jordan shared coach of the year honors. Green led the Mountaineers to their first ASC tournament appearance since 2003 and Jordan guided the Cowgirls to their third division title in the last five seasons.

[Note: ASC softball awards are given only at the division level.]

(Listed in order of voting point totals; # indicates tie in voting at that position)

ALL-EAST DIVISION SECOND TEAM

ALL-EAST DIVISION HONORABLE MENTION

(Listed in order of voting point totals; #, & indicates tie in voting at that position)

ALL-WEST DIVISION SECOND TEAM

ALL-WEST DIVISION HONORABLE MENTION