(Photo Courtesy of Longwood Athletics)
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Longwood University softball junior catcher Megan Baltzell/Stafford has been named to the 2014 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List, as announced by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball. The USA Softball Player of the Year award is designed to recognize exceptional athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country.
“Megan is an outstanding softball player,” said head coach Kathy Riley. “Many people underestimate her all-around skills because she has tremendous hitting numbers. Megan has the best softball instincts of any player I have coached, and I feel sure that she would be an impact player for any team in the country.”
Baltzell, who was also recently named the 2014 Big South Conference Preseason Player of the Year, turned in a record-setting sophomore campaign. The 2013 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Second-Team All-American earned a NCAA Division I Statistical Champion title with 30 home runs (0.49 HR/G) last season. She also finished in the top three nationally in three additional hitting categories, while setting a school record with 78 RBI and Big South records for home runs, total bases (184) and slugging percentage (.984). A 2013 First-Team All-Southeast Region, First-Team All-Big South and Big South All-Tournament Team selection, Baltzell has started all 116 career games with a program-best .818 career slugging percentage. She currently sits second on Longwood’s all-time record list with 39 career home runs and a .479 on base percentage.
This year’s pre-season Watch List for Player of the Year includes 24 seniors, 20 juniors and six sophomores, with freshman ineligible for consideration. Athletes named to the Watch List represent 36 NCAA Division I universities and 12 athletic conferences. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has the most member schools represented with seven, while Longwood’s Baltzell is the only selection from the Big South.
The Top 25 Finalists for the 2014 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be announced April 9. The Top 10 Finalists will then be announced May 7 and the Top 3 Finalists will be announced May 21. On May 27 prior to the start of the 2014 NCAA Women’s College World Series (WCWS) in Oklahoma City, the 2014 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be revealed.
The Lancers are set to open the 2014 season at home against Saint Joseph’s University on Saturday, February 15 at 12:30 p.m.
