Okay, when I started this project, the plan was just to do all-decade teams for the winter sports as well as the top 10 teams. But, having heard from several ex-athletes in various sports, I'll forge ahead with my all-decade picks for the rest.
Today we'll go with the all-decade softball team and tomorrow it'll be baseball since those are spring sports coming up soon (well, maybe not if it stays 10-below with the wind chill like it is today!).
So here's my UCO softball team for the 2000s.
Catcher - April Ferrall. The 2003 Lone Star Conference North Division Player of the Year was an offensive force.
First Base - Tough choice, but I'm going with Lauren Moore from the mid-2000s for her defensive prowess.
Second Base - Lindsay Tripp was a four-year starter from 2003-06 and a fine all-around player.
Shortstop - Have to go with Stacy Walden here, another four-year starter from 2004-07 and a two-time first-team All-LSC North Division pick
Third Base - Jodi Craig gets the nod. A serious slugger who ranks second in both career homers (27) and RBI (112), Jodi was a two-time first-team All-South Central Regional selection while playing from 2004-08 with year off for injury.
Outfield - Not sure who would play where, but Meagan Campbell, Julie Cyr and Alley Roberts make up my outfield. The fleet-footed Campbell was a perfect lead-off hitter for the Bronchos during her four-year starting career and she holds career school records for hits (183) and at bats (555). Cyr was a three-year standout and two-time first-team All-LSC North pick in the early 2000s. Roberts could have gone anywhere after a sensational career from 2006-09 that saw her also play catcher, second base and shortstop, but I put her here to get others on the team. Fresh smashed a school-record 34 homers, hit .352 for her career and ranks in the top five in all-time runs (119), hits (179), doubles (32), RBI (109) and at bats (509).
Pitcher - The easiest pick on the team here in Alli Blake, a four-year stud from 2005-08. A.B. won 67 games -- going a phenomenal 20-3 during her fabulous freshman campaign -- and she was the main reason UCO had the success it did during her career. I picked one other pitcher who could be used as either a starter or reliever, with Jennifer Chavira getting the nod despite playing for the Bronchos only one season (2002).
Utility - I went with two utility players and both are seniors for the Bronchos this year -- Molly Shivers and Kelsey Tiger. Molly has won 31 games in the circle and starts in the outfield when not pitching, while Kelsey has started every game (138) the past three years at second base, shortstop and catcher.
No designated player on this squad, with someone already on the team able to be used in that role.
There you have it, the UCO softball all-decade team.
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First of all great list, thanks for doing this!
ReplyDeleteAt catcher it's a toss up between Ferrell and Tommie Mitts. Since you saw both play, I'll trust your judgement here. I'll take honorable mention here too. ;)
Agree 100% with Lolly at 1st, Stacey at short, and Jodi at 3rd.
I'll have to disagree with you at 2nd base. Fresh's All-American season came at 2nd base, but I understand why you have her in the outfield. Tiger was a damn good 2nd baseman in her Freshman campaign as well, I'd go with either of them for multiple reasons.
Campbell and Cyr in the outfield are givens.
Tiger and Shivers are great utility players.
The best of the list is by far MY pitcher, Alli Blake. Alli was the cornerstone of UCO Softball for 4 years. She's my player of the decade. :)
Great list, Mike! Brought back lots of great memories!
Go Bronchos!
EB