Longtime Worth Softball rep and USSSA Hall of Famer, Denny Helmig has passed away.
Dennis C. “Hawk” Helmig, 72, passed away 10:45 a.m., Sun. Feb. 21, 2021, at his home surrounded by his family following a courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia. He was born Aug. 15, 1948, in Lima, the son of Charles & B. Maxine (Wright) Helmig, who preceded him in death. On Dec. 19, 1972, he married Polly (Forton) Helmig, and she survives.
Other survivors include, children, Gavin (Alisha) Helmig, Lima; Dr. Sara Helmig, Memphis, TN; Kara (Donovan Shuster) Helmig, Grand Forks, ND; grandchildren, Teagan Helmig, Lima; and Gavin Sargent, Minot, ND; siblings, Teresa DeCurtins, and Brent (Marsha) Helmig, both of Cincinnati, OH; Connie (Jeff) Partee, Painsville, OH; Carl (Dawn) Helmig, Lima; sister-in-law, Betsi (Pat) Hurd, Chesterfield, VA; brother-in-law, David (Sharon) Forton, Villa Hills, KY, several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his in-laws, Gordon & Rosemary Forton, his brother-in-law, Dennis DeCurtins, and a nephew, Jonathan Hurd.
Denny was a 1966 graduate of Lima Central Catholic High School, and then attended the Ohio University, Athens, OH, where he was a member of the baseball team. He was a sports enthusiast supporting his alma mater, working with Lima youth sports and also enjoyed coaching his children in basketball and softball throughout their years. His participation in sports also included coaching the men’s basketball team at Northwestern Business College now know as UNOH. Hawk’s (No. 44) involvement and success in the softball field resulted in earning his induction into Ohio Softball Hall of Fame, the National Softball Hall of Fame, and the USSSA Hall of Fame. He was employed by Steele’s Sports, Worth Sporting Goods, and recently retired from Rawlings as a Regional Sales Manager. Hawk enjoyed following the Lima Central Catholic teams and especially watching his granddaughter play sports. He enjoyed playing golf, gambling, cheering on his teams, especially Notre Dame, the Cleveland Indians, and the Cleveland Browns. Hawk would travel to Kentucky, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus to follow his special friends and family participating in their sports events. His memberships included St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, the Shawnee Country Club, and the Knights of Columbus.
A special thank you to St. Rita’s Hospice, and the many friends who helped and visited the past months.
“Ike’s career spanned 50 years. He retired from the United States Air Force with 21 years of service. He worked for 30 plus years for the City of Shreveport Parks and Recreation department serving as Athletic Director, as well as numerous community efforts in sports, charities and beyond.”
At the time of his induction into the National Softball Hall of Fame in 2012, Ike was a registered umpire for over 56 years and served as District Commissioner in the Shreveport, La. area, Player Representative, and Louisiana Umpire-in-Chief. In addition to these positions, Wheeler was a member of the National Indicator Fraternity (1988) and a member of the ASA/USA Softball of Louisiana Hall of Fame (2010). Some of his accomplishments he achieved since joining ASA/USA Softball include: recipient of the Region 6 Award of Excellence (2009) and umpire for four National Championships (1982, 1987, 1988, 1997) in addition to serving as either Tournament Director, Umpire Coordinator, or Housing Authority for 17 National Tournaments. Since 1978, Wheeler had successfully registered every team in the Shreveport Parks and Recreations Department for ASA/USA Softball, and has attended every Umpire-in-Chief clinic and ASA/USA Softball National Convention since 1982.
The family would like to commemorate his life by offering a visitation on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home (1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport, Louisiana). A private service and internment for immediate family only will follow the visitation.
Mr. Angelo R. Frannicola, 78, of Nutley, NJ, passed away on Monday, February 22, 2021, at St. Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston. Visitation will be at the Biondi Funeral Home of Nutley 540 Franklin Avenue on Sunday, February 28th from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. There will be a funeral mass celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge Street, Newark on Monday, March 1st at 10:30 a.m. The interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington with military honors.
Angelo was born in Newark, NJ and resided in Nutley for the past 42 years. He attended Sacred Heart School and had the honor of being a Page Boy when the Cathedral Basilica opened in 1954. Angelo was a graduate of St. Benedict’s Prep in 1960. He served his country proudly in the United States Army 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Montclair State University in 1974, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Seton Hall University, in 1981.
Angelo spent 27 years as a Physical Education teacher/Athletic Director in Newark, working at both the old Vailsburg and Weequahic High Schools. He was the Athletic Director of Nutley High School from 2001-2006 before his retirement. After that he served on the Nutley Board of Education from 2007-2010.
Angelo was an ASA/USA Softball Metro Newark Commissioner for 40 years. He was a football and basketball official as well as a baseball and softball umpire for over 50 years. Most recently, he was a mentor for student teachers under the direction of Montclair State University and Caldwell College.
Angelo’s hobbies included collecting Lionel Trains and enjoying a nice meal followed by a “good” cigar.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 48 years, Toni (nee Ciccolini) Frannicola; his devoted children, Robert Frannicola and his wife Alicia, and Antoinette Giglio and her husband Joseph; his cherished grandson Michaelangelo; his dear brother-in-law Jack Kopidlowski, and his dear sister-in-law Loretta Kopidlowski. He is also survived by his loving nieces and nephews Anthony and Ruth Sgobbo, Anita and Jose Rodriguez, Joseph Kopidlowski and his fiancé Christina Hunter, and Peter and Jaclyn McKenna; his great-nieces and nephews Brooke Sgobbo, Jake Kopidlowski, Peter and Loretta McKenna; and also his loving furry companion Bella.
Angelo is predeceased by his parents Nicholas and Virginia (nee Fiaella) Frannicola, and his sister Annette D’Angelo.
There will be visitation at Biondi Funeral Home on Sunday, February 28 from 1 – 5 p.m., while the Funeral Mass will be held at Cathedral Basilica of The Sacred Heart on Monday, March 1 at 10:30 a.m. The Internment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleom at 12 p.m.
Longtime ASA Umpire and Central Virginia Player Rep has passed away. When more details become available we will post them. Below is an article about Scott from 2009 and his passion for our sport.
Scott Southworth is known throughout the county as “Mr. Softball.”
Whether he’s behind home plate as a softball umpire or organizing a softball tournament, Scott Southworth does it with one thing in mind.
“I know to the people who are playing, it’s like a national tournament to them, so I have to treat it accordingly,” said the 61-year-old county resident. “I have to do a good job so the people who are participating can have a good time. I want them to enjoy it as much as I do.”
The personable Southworth has been in the softball game for 44 years, first as a player, then as a coach and now as an umpire and an official with the Amateur Softball Association (ASA).
“In Chesterfield, he is considered our head umpire and ‘Mr. Softball.’ He lives, eats and breathes the game,” said Kelly Thompson, recreation coordinator with the Chesterfield Department of Parks and Recreation.
“It’s his life,” added Drew Walker, a coed player for the Free Choice Act team. “The players appreciate his good-natured approach to the game. He knows everyone by name and genuinely cares for all the players. As an umpire, his No. 1 concern is for the safety of the players. When it’s blazing hot on Sunday afternoons, he’s always checking to make sure people are drinking water and staying hydrated. I’ve seen him stop a game because someone didn’t look well; he made them go cool off.”
Southworth is a nominee for the ASA Hall of Fame this year and says he’s loved every minute of his softball sojourn. “I love the camaraderie with the people, I enjoy the exercise, and I love the game itself so much.”
Southworth started in baseball at John Marshall High School. He then played semi-pro baseball. “It died out, then I started playing softball,” he said.
He has had an illustrious career in softball. In 1965, he started playing in church leagues. He played first base on the Samuel’s Grocery team in 1973 that “was the only team from Richmond to ever win Class A nationals,” Southworth said. He organized the Disco Sports team that finished fourth in nationals. Southworth also coached the AJD team at the AA level from 1980 to 1989 that finished in the final 16 seven years.
Southworth is in his 39th year as an umpire. He won the Indicator Award for umpiring in three national tournaments, and was the representative for two teams that played in national tournaments in Florida.
He’s back in the umpiring saddle this summer after undergoing hip surgery last year.
Dawn Vaughan, a player with the coed Balch Alignment team, said of Southworth, “He is one of the most knowledgeable and fairest umpires I have ever had a chance to play with. If something comes across that he has never experienced before, he will do all he can to make sure that he finds out the answer and fully explains what it is. I absolutely love him as an umpire, and better yet as a person.”
Southworth, who is married with three grown children, umpires 14 games a week in the Chesterfield Coed Softball League on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Harry G. Daniel Park at Iron Bridge and on Sundays at L.C. Bird High School.
A 19-year ASA employee who also owns an insurance agency, Southworth organizes 15 to 20 tournaments a year in the Central Virginia area as senior deputy commissioner with the ASA. “I try to have one tournament every other weekend,” he said. He also organizes two senior tournaments a year.
Among his larger projects, he organizes the Midnight Madness tournament that had about 60 teams participating in July. He also organized the Turkey Shoot tournament the past two Novembers that attracted 102 teams.
During the week, he can be found umpiring coed games. “As long as the good Lord blesses me with my health, I hope to continue doing it,” he said.
That’s good news for the many players who have found enjoyment playing their games under the sharp, caring direction of Mr. Softball.
Through many name and format changes, the current “Balls and Strikes” magazine has been a mainstay throughout the growth of the organization. It was started in 1933 by the founders and continued through the efforts of countless ASA staff.
When Leo Fischer and M.J. Pauley founded the Amateur Softball Association 75 years ago, they – and in particular Fischer – wanted a way to communicate with the handful of commissioners of the newly-formed organization. In time the organization would peak at 110 local association commissioners.
Fischer, then a sportswriter who would eventually become sports editor of the Chicago American, suggested that a bulletin be mailed each month to the commissioners to keep them informed on what was going on in the Association. The name of this bulletin was “Soft-Balls and Strikes.”
Originally in mimeograph form, this bulletin became a newspaper in 1938 when it was included in a publication called “Softball” that was printed by the Michigan Softball Association, Lansing, Mich., and sold for $1 per year. “Softball” was printed twice each month during June, July and August and once each the remaining months of the year.
In 1937 and 1938, however, the ASA produced the first printed issues of “Softballs and Strikes” and distributed 5000 copies each of these souvenir issues, which highlighted the respective national championships. Each 32-page issues contained pictures and articles about the national championship. These two issues sold for 25 cents each plus 5 cents for mailing. “Softball” eventually became “Softball News” and continued to devote a page to “Soft-Balls and Strikes” until June of 1942 when it discontinued the publication. This resulted in the ASA switching back to the mimeograph machine to produce “Soft-Balls and Strikes”. And, in 1947, the name “Soft-Balls and Strikes” was shortened to its present name “Balls and Strikes”.
In April of 1947, the Balls and Strikes format was changed to a 7-column newspaper with four pages each issue and the subscription price still $1 per year. “Balls and Strikes” remained a 7-column newspaper until increasing costs forced the publication to go back to the mimeograph following the August, 1948 issue. In that issue, M.J. Pauley wrote an editorial about the swan song of Balls and Strikes and himself as editor of the ASA’s official publication. Just prior to the January 30, 1949 annual meeting in Chicago, Pauley resigned as ASA executive secretary, ending 16 years of service to the ASA.
Balls and Strikes remained a mimeograph, however, only a few months because in Nov-Dec., 1948, it was changed to a 4-column tabloid and remained a tabloid until the ASA changed to a slick magazine in 1980.
ASA switched Balls and Strikes back to a four-column tabloid in 1982 and the publication remained in that form until 1996 when another attempt at a magazine was made.
The evolutionary circle continued because of rising costs and a lack of advertising, in 1999 Balls and Strikes was changed from five issues to two—a season preview in February and a national championship/ season recap issue in the fall. On March 1, 1999, the ASA launched its first issue of Balls and Strikes on its website. Little did Fischer and the other people involved with the formation of the ASA realize the strides softball and Balls and Strikes would make together.
And, from all indications, it appears that the best is yet to come for softball and the ASA, which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2008 with the National Council meeting scheduled in Oklahoma City.
When he broke the record in 1986 ASA Nationals beating Midland 1-0 with no hitter to win 45th career ASA National tournament game, he was 45-14 at the time. He lost his next two games at the 1986 Nationals and then went 1-5 in the next 3 Nationals he played in.
Statistics for just advanced play tournaments like states/regionals/nationals/worlds.
ASA Nationals – 46-21, 518 IP, 762 K, 3 National Championships, 11 All Americans, 5 MVP, 5 Most Valuable Pitcher
ASA States – 16-1, 126 IP, 211 K, 5 Championships, 2 MVP, 2 Most Valuable Pitcher
NSF Festival – 9-4, 80 IP, 109 K, 2 Championships
ISF World – 4-2, 59 IP, 98 K, 1 Championship, 1 MVP, 1 Most Valuable Pitcher
Pan Am Games – 6-1, 51 IP, 87 K
ISC National – 38-20, 449 IP, 661 K, 1 Championship, 5 All Worlds, 2 MVP, 1 Most Valuable Pitcher
ISC States – 26-2, 229 IP, 422 K, 12 Championships, 3 MVP, 4 Most Valuable Pitcher
TOTALS – 168-55, 1733 IP, 2714 K, 26 Championships, 16 All American/World, 16 MVP, 14 Most Valuable Pitcher
In ASA National Play, he hurled close to 20 shutouts and 8 no hitters, including 4 perfect games.
In ISC World play, he had another 21 shutouts with 3 no hitters and 2 perfect games.
In State and regional play, he probably had another 15 no hitters and 10 perfect games.
He saved his best for the big stage. In what is still considered the greatest pitching performance of all time in the 1972 ISF World Championships, he pitched an incredible 1-0 win over New Zealand and its ace pitcher, Kevin Herlihy, in 20 innings. For 18 2/3 innings Stofflet had a perfect game before a batter was hit by a pitch. Stofflet had two of the five hits off Herlihy including the game’s only RBI with a single in the top of the 20th inning. Stofflet finished with an incredible 32 strikeouts in a game.
He was a pitcher with no equal and what people fail to realize it that he also had a career batting average of over .300.
The 2020 NCAA Division I Softball season, play of college softball in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level, began February 6, 2020. The season ended on March 12, 2020, when the NCAA cancelled all winter championships and spring sports seasons due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 2020 NCAA Division I Softball Tournament and 2020 Women’s College World Series, to be held Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, did not occur.
REGULAR SEASON
Softball America Wilson Division 1 Collegiate Player of the Year – Miranda Elish, Texas (P) (11-3, 84 IP, 96 Ks, ERA 1.25, 2 Shutouts; 20-54, .370, 4 HRs, 19 RBIs, 14 Runs)
Softball America Wilson Division 1 Collegiate Pitcher of the Year – Megan Faraimo, UCLA (P) (13-3, 90 IP, 149 IP, ERA 0.85, 5 Shutout)
Prior to the season ending this is where the final rankings and standings sat:
Rank
School
Points
Record
Previous
1
UCLA (32)
800
25-1
1
2
Washington
763
23-2
2
3
Texas
732
24-3
3
4
Arizona
693
22-3
4
5
LSU
649
21-3
5
6
Oklahoma
635
20-4
6
7
Florida
615
23-4
7
8
Louisiana
559
18-6
8
9
Oregon
531
22-2
9
10
Alabama
465
14-8
10
11
Kentucky
447
20-4
11
12
Florida State
418
17-7
12
12
Oklahoma State
418
19-5
13
14
Georgia
372
23-5
14
15
South Carolina
300
17-6
16
16
Virginia Tech
295
21-4
17
17
Arizona State
280
22-7
15
18
Michigan
233
15-8
18
19
Arkansas
185
19-6
20
20
Mississippi State
179
23-3
21
21
UCF
167
21-5-1
22
22
Minnesota
161
15-9-1
19
23
Baylor
122
19-5
24
24
Fresno State
93
21-4
25
25
Missouri
82
19-7
23
Oklahoma City just went through the final series of renovations to the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium which were completed weeks before the Women’s College World Series.
2020 ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
For a behind the scenes tour of the USA Softball Hall of Fame Complex click here.
In 2005, the Wolverines won their first Women’s College World Series title in three games. Before being crowned champions, they lost the finals opener to defending national champion UCLA, 5-0.
Samantha Findlay a Wolverine freshman launched a three run home run in the top of the 11th to push Michigan ahead for good.
Afterward, coach Carol Hutchins analyzed her team’s performance. “We’re a better team than we showed; we’re trying too hard and we aren’t making adjustments. It’s a tough loss for us but we still have a chance, we’re not defeated and we’re still in it.”
Then-second baseman Tiffany Haas promised the team would come out playing higher-quality Michigan softball in game two. They did just that, beating the Bruins, 5-2.
Jessica Merchant and Becky Marx led the way offensively, each knocking in two runs after going a combined 0-for-5 in game one. Jennie Ritter earned the complete-game victory in the circle.
This year Super Regional were played. There were 16 regional tournaments with the winners heading to 8 super regional tournaments and then on to the WCWS.
Most Outstanding Player – Samantha Findlay, Michigan
USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year – Cat Osterman, Texas (30-7, 0.36 ERA, 593 K)
ALL-AMERICAN FIRST TEAM
P – Monica Abbott SO. Tennessee Lady Vols
P – Cat Osterman JR. Texas Longhorns
P – Jennie Ritter JR. Michigan Wolverines
C – Kristen Rivera SR. Washington Huskies
1B – Garland Cooper SO. Northwestern Wildcats
2B – Tiffany Haas SR. Michigan Wolverines
3B – Vicky Galindo SR. California Golden Bears
SS – Courtney Bures FR. Mississippi State Bulldogs
OF – Sarah Fekete JR. Tennessee Lady Vols
OF – Marissa Nichols FR. UNLV Rebels
OF – Caitlin Lowe SO. Arizona Wildcats
DP – Cameron Astiazaran SR. UIC Flames
UTIL – Amanda Scarborough FR. Texas A&M Aggies
AL – Kristie Fox SO. Arizona Wildcats
AL – Brianne McGowan JR. Oregon State Beavers
AL – Kim Wendland JR. Georgia Bulldogs
AL – Jamie Southern SR. Fresno State Bulldogs
AL – Heather Scaglione SR. Oklahoma State Cowgirls
ALL-AMERICAN SECOND TEAM
P – Michelle Green SR. Georgia Bulldogs
P – Alicia Hollowell JR. Arizona Wildcats
P – Kristina Thorson JR. California Golden Bears
C – Ashley Courtney SR. Alabama Crimson Tide
1B – Jennifer Curtier SO. Pacific Tigers
2B – Caitlin Benyi JR. UCLA Bruins
3B – Kristi Durant JR. Tennessee Lady Vols
SS – Amber Jackson JR. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
OF – Catalina Morris JR. Stanford Cardinal
OF – Kristin Vesely JR. Oklahoma Sooners
OF – Harmony Schwethelm JR. Baylor Bears
DP – Megan Gibson SO. Texas A&M Aggies
UTIL – Holly Currie SO. Auburn Tigers
AL – Stephanie Churchwell FR. Northwestern Wildcats
AL – Anjelica Selden FR. UCLA Bruins
AL – Lindsay Schutzler SO. Tennessee Lady Vols
AL – Michelle Smith FR. Stanford Cardinal
ALL-AMERICAN THIRD TEAM
P – Megan Meyer SR. Seton Hall Pirates
P – Sarah Pauly SR. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders
P – Jessica Sallinger SR. Georgia Tech Yellowjackets
C – Rachel Folden FR. Marshall Thundering Herd
1B – Page Jones SR. Auburn Tigers
2B – Anne Steffan SR. Nebraska Cornhuskers
3B – Norrelle Dickson SO. Oklahoma Sooners
SS – Jessica Merchant JR. Michigan Wolverines
OF – Danyele Gomez JR. ULL Ragin’ Cajuns
OF – Megan Ciolli SR. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
OF – Tiffany Stewart JR. USF Bulls
DP – Nicole Motycka SR. Michigan Wolverines
UTIL – Ashley Esparza FR. Penn State Nittany Lions
AL – Lisa Birocci SR. Iowa Hawkeyes
AL – Kaleo Eldredge SR. California Golden Bears
AL – Courtnay Foster JR. Northwestern Wildcats
AL – Lauren Lappin JR. Stanford Cardinal
AL – Saskia Roberson JR. DePaul Blue Demons
2004 held at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 27-31.
Champion – UCLA Bruins (47-9) Runner Up – California Golden Bears (53-13)
Bruins Go Back to Back for 10th Series Crown: UCLA’s Claire Sua homered and freshman Kristen Dedmon singled in two runs to lift the Bruins to their second straight Women’s College
World Series championship.
In a rematch of last year’s title game, UCLA downed California, 3-1, on Memorial Day in Oklahoma City, to collect its 10th NCAA crown. The Bruins became the first back-to-back champions since Arizona in 1996-97.
This was the 11th all-Pacific-10 Conference national championship final since 1991, the first year two Pac-10 teams appeared in the title game.
The Bears, who were making their third consecutive appearance in the championship game, opened the scoring in the top of the first inning. Lindsey James drew a walk from Bruins’ hurler Keira
Goerl and advanced to second on a Haley Woods single. Jessica Pamanian plated James on a one-hopper down the third base line that hit the bag and headed into left field to give California an early 1-0 lead.
Bears pitcher Kelly Anderson was perfect through four innings. She retired the first 12 UCLA batters she faced and recorded four strikeouts. Sua, the Bruins’ senior first baseman, swatted
Anderson’s first pitch of the fifth over the left center field fence to knot the game at 1-1. It was just Sua’s second hit of the Series, and only the 10th home run allowed by Anderson this year.
Anderson hit the next batter, Stephanie Ramos, and walked Jodie Legaspi before being relieved by Kristina Thorson. Baserunners Ramos and Legaspi also were exchanged for pinch runners Amanda Simpson and Tara Henry, who were bunted over by Emily Zaplatosch.
Dedmon, pinch hitting for Julie Hoshizaki in her only Series plate appearance, launched a shot up the middle that scored Simpson and Henry to break the tie and seal a 3-1 victory for the defending champs.
“Cal was an incredible opponent. I tip my cap to them,” said UCLA head coach Sue Enquist. “Keira (Goerl) did what she had to do to keep us in the ball game. I’m so extremely proud of this team
because they never stopped believing.”
Goerl, who no-hit California in last year’s championship game, allowed seven hits, struck out four and walked three in a complete-game effort. She closed the season at 31-7 and joins Arizona’s
Susie Parra (1993-94) and fellow Bruin Debbie Doom (1984-85) as the only pitchers to win backto-back championships.
With the losing effort, Anderson becomes the fourth pitcher in Women’s College World Series history to lose multiple title games. Anderson also fell short in last year’s championship matchup.
Diane Ninemire, head coach at California, said she was proud of the way the Bears opened the game.
“I thought that was a key thing for us to get a good start. Unfortunately, we fell behind, but my team kept fighting,” she said. “It was unfortunate that we did not get the key hit with people in scoring position. But I can’t be any prouder of this group of young ladies. They worked extremely hard throughout the year.”
The total attendance for this year’s Women’s College World Series topped out at 41,034 to break the previous mark of 38,102 established in 2001. The Bruins, who closed out the year at 47-9,
and the Bears, who finished at 53-13, played in front 5,735 fans, the second-largest crowd in Series championship-game history.
Most Outstanding Player – Kristin Schmidt, LSU
Batting Leader – Natasha Watley, UCLA – .440
RBI Leader – Jessica Pamanian, California – 4
Home Run Leader – Caitlin Benyi, UCLA – 2
ERA Leader – Keira Goerl, UCLA – 0.85
Strikeout Leader – Kristin Schmidt, LSU – 44
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
P – Kelly Anderson Junior California
P – Keira Goerl Senior UCLA
P – Jessica van der Linden Senior Florida State
1B – Christina Enea Junior Oklahoma
2B – Caitlin Benyi Sophomore UCLA
2B – Jessica Pamanian Junior California
SS – Lauren Lappin Sophomore Stanford
SS – Jodie Legaspi Freshman UCLA
3B – Vicky Galindo Junior California
OF – Lisa Dodd Freshman UCLA
OF – Camille Harris Sophomore LSU
SCORES
LSU 3 Michigan 2 (13 inn.)
UCLA 8 Stanford 2
Oklahoma 6 Washington 2
California 4 Florida State 2
UCLA 2 LSU 0
California 2 Oklahoma 1 (8 inn.)
Stanford 5 Michigan 4 – Michigan eliminated
Florida State 2 Washington 0 – Washington eliminated
Stanford 3 Oklahoma 2 – Oklahoma eliminated
LSU 2 Florida State 1 – Florida State eliminated
UCLA 3 Stanford 1 (12 inn.) – Stanford eliminated
LSU 4 California 1
California 4 LSU 1 – LSU eliminated
UCLA 3 California 1 – California eliminated
FINAL STANDINGS
1. UCLA Bruins (4-0)
2. California Golden Bears (3-1)
3. LSU Tigers (3-2)
4. Stanford Cardinal (2-2)
5t. Oklahoma Sooners (1-2)
5t. Florida State Seminoles (1-2)
7t. Washington Huskies (0-2)
7t. Michigan Wolverines (0-2)
2004 UCLA Bruins
REGIONALS
Ann Arbor Regional
Oregon State 7 Bowling Green 0
Tennessee 10 Illinois-Chicago 0 (5 inn.)
Notre Dame 8 DePaul 6
Michigan 6 Canisius 3
Illinois-Chicago 2 Bowling Green 1 (8 inn.) – Bowling Green eliminated
Houston 1 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 0 – Texas A&M-Corpus Christi eliminated
Baylor 5 Illinois 0
LSU 3 Seton Hall 0
Seton Hall 1 North Carolina 0 (12 inn.) – Seton Hall eliminated
Illinois 3 Houston 2 – Houston eliminated
LSU 7 Baylor 3 (10 inn.)
Illinois 2 Seton Hall 0 – Seton Hall eliminated
Illinois 4 Baylor 0 – Baylor eliminated
LSU 4 Illinois 1 – Illinois eliminated
LSU qualifies for the WCWS, 4-0.
REGULAR SEASON INFORMATION
Honda Sports Award – Jessica van der Linden, Florida State (29-8, 0.59 ERA, 387 K, .401 BA, 4 HR, 55 RBI)
USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year – Jessica van der Linden, Florida State (29-8, 0.59 ERA, 387 K, .401 BA, 4 HR, 55 RBI)
ALL-AMERICAN FIRST TEAM
P – Monica Abbott FR. Tennessee Lady Vols
P – Dana Sorensen SR. Stanford Cardinal
P – Alicia Hollowell SO. Arizona Wildcats
C – Kristen Rivera JR. Washington Huskies
1B – Kim Wendland JR. Georgia Bulldogs
2B – Caitlin Benyi SO. UCLA Bruins
3B – Vicky Galindo JR. California Golden Bears
SS – Christina Clark SO. Fresno State Bulldogs
OF – Nicole Barber SR. Georgia Bulldogs
OF – Iyhia McMichael JR. Mississippi State Bulldogs
OF – Caitlin Lowe FR. Arizona Wildcats
DP – Wendy Allen SR. Arizona Wildcats
UTIL – Jessica van der Linden SR. FSU Seminoles
AL – Gina Carbonatto FR. Pacific Tigers
AL – Autumn Champion SO. Arizona Wildcats
AL – Brooke Mitchell JR. ULL Ragin’ Cajuns
AL – Heather Scaglione JR. Oklahoma State Cowgirls
ALL-AMERICAN SECOND TEAM
P – Keira Goerl SR. UCLA Bruins
P – Casey Hunter JR. FSU Seminoles
P – Kristina Thorson SO. California Golden Bears
C – Jessica Allister SR. Stanford Cardinal
1B – Vanessa Iapala SO. Oregon State Beavers
2B – Veronica Wootson FR. FSU Seminoles
3B – Phelan Wright SR. Arizona State Sun Devils
SS – Jessica Merchant JR. Michigan Wolverines
OF – Kaleo Eldredge JR. California Golden Bears
OF – LaDonia Hughes SR. LSU Tigers
OF – Kristen Zaleski SR. Texas State Bobcats
DP – Holly Groves SR. USF Bulls
UTIL – Jessica Beech SR. Michigan State Spartans
AL – Peaches James SR. Nebraska Cornhuskers
AL – Lauren Lappin SO. Stanford Cardinal
AL – Nicole Motycka JR. Michigan Wolverines
AL – Kristin Schmidt SR. LSU Tigers
ALL-AMERICAN THIRD TEAM
P – Jessica Kapchinski SR. Texas A&M Aggies
P – Kristen Keyes SR. Auburn Tigers
P – Jessica Sallinger JR. Georgia Tech Yellowjackets
C – Sara Dean JR. Auburn Tigers
1B – Saskia Roberson JR. DePaul Blue Demons
2B – Tiffany Haas SO. Michigan Wolverines
3B – Sara Larquier SO. Virginia Cavaliers
SS – Lauren May JR. Cornell Big Red
OF – Christen Bedwell SR. CSUN Matadors
OF – Megan Ciolli JR. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
OF – Leslie Klein FR. LSU Tigers
DP – Amanda Rivera SR. UIC Flames
UTIL – Sarah Martz SR. DePaul Blue Demons
AL – Leigh Ann Ellis SR. USF Bulls
AL – Dominique Lastrapes FR. Washington Huskies
AL – Jackie McClain SR. Alabama Crimson Tide
AL – Megan Meyer JR. Seton Hall Pirates
AL – Chelsea Spencer JR. California Golden Bears
2003 held at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 22-25.
Champion – UCLA Bruins (54-7) Runner Up – California Golden Bears (49-20)
In 2003 the NCAA bumped up the amount of teams in the championship tournament from 48 to 64 teams. There were eight regional sites with eight teams each and eight teams advancing to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.
The UCLA seniors were going to make school history one way or another May 26 in the championship game.
The four Bruins, playing in the final game of their career, either would become the first class in UCLA history not to win a title on the field or become the first team since Texas A&M in 1983 to
lose its first game of the tournament then rally for the title. Riding junior pitcher Keira Goerl’s no-hitter, the Bruins outlasted defending national champion California for a 1-0 victory.
Most Outstanding Player – Keira Goerl, UCLA
Batting Leader – Natasha Watley, UCLA – .440
RBI Leader – Taria Mims, UCLA – 6
Home Run Leader – Taria Mims, UCLA – 3
ERA Leader – Keira Goerl, UCLA – 0.60
Strikeout Leader – Alicia Hollowell, Arizona – 45
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
P – Kelly Anderson, California
P – Alicia Hollowell, Arizona
P – Cat Osterman, Texas
1B – Veronica Nelson, California
SS – Lovie Jung, Arizona
SS – Chelsea Spencer, California
SS – Natasha Watley, UCLA
3B – Vicky Galindo, California
3B – Tairia Mims, UCLA
OF – Tamara Poppe, Texas
DP – Jennifer Stump, Oklahoma
USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year – Cat Osterman, Texas (32-6, 0.37 ERA, 488 K)
ALL-AMERICAN FIRST TEAM
P – Cat Osterman SO. Texas Longhorns
P – Keira Goerl JR. UCLA Bruins
P – Alicia Hollowell FR. Arizona Wildcats
C – Kristen Rivera SO. Washington Huskies
1B – Stacey Porter JR. Hawaii Rainbow Wahine
2B – Andrea Hillsey SO. Purdue Boilermakers
3B – Leah Gulla SR. Oklahoma Sooners
SS – Natasha Watley SR. UCLA Bruins
OF – Oli Keohohou JR. BYU Cougars
OF – Iyhia McMichael JR. Mississippi State Bulldogs
OF – Autumn Champion FR. Arizona Wildcats
DP – Claire Sua JR. UCLA Bruins
UTIL – Tairia Flowers SR. UCLA Bruins
AL – Lovieanne Jung SR. Arizona Wildcats
AL – Lindsay Chouinard SR. DePaul Blue Demons
AL – Lauren Bay-Regula SR. Oklahoma State Cowgirls
AL – Jessica van der Linden JR. FSU Seminoles
AL – Jenny Topping SR. Cal State Fullerton Titans
ALL-AMERICAN SECOND TEAM
P – Michelle Green SO. Georgia Bulldogs
P – Kami Keiter SO. Oklahoma Sooners
P – Tia Bollinger JR. Washington Huskies
C – Jami Trinidad SR. UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
1B – Veronica Nelson SR. California Golden Bears
2B – Brandi Stuart SR. FSU Seminoles
3B – Phelan Wright JR. Arizona State Sun Devils
SS – Kristin Johnson SR. Iowa Hawkeyes
OF – Courtney Fossatti JR. Arizona Wildcats
OF – Nicole Barber JR. Georgia Bulldogs
OF – Kristen Zaleski JR. Texas State Bobcats
DP – Lai-Kia Fennell SO. CSUN Matadors
UTIL – Marissa Young SR. Michigan Wolverines
AL – Christina Clark FR. Fresno State Bulldogs
AL – Jamie Southern SO. Fresno State Bulldogs
AL – Jackie McClain JR. Alabama Crimson Tide
AL – Becky McMurtry SR. ULL Ragin’ Cajuns
AL – Courtney Scott SR. California Golden Bears
ALL-AMERICAN THIRD TEAM
P – Jodie Cox SR. Cal State Fullerton Titans
P – Jessica Beech JR. Michigan State Spartans
P – Lisa Birocci SO. Iowa Hawkeyes
C – Kristin Schmidt JR. LSU Tigers
C – Elisa Velasco JR. FSU Seminoles
1B – Jaclyn Holden FR. North Carolina Tar Heels
2B – Brynnen Guthrie SR. Oregon State Beavers
3B – Andrea Loman SR. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
SS – Emily Robustelli SR. UMass Minutewomen
OF – Catalina Morris FR. Stanford Cardinal
OF – Tiffany Tolleson SR. North Carolina Tar Heels
OF – Danyele Gomez FR. ULL Ragin’ Cajuns
DP – Saskia Roberson SO. DePaul Blue Demons
UTIL – Sarah Martz JR. DePaul Blue Demons
AL – Andrea Vidlund SR. Oregon Ducks
AL – Rachael McGinnis JR. Missouri Tigers
AL – Sandy Lewis SR. Michigan State Spartans
AL – Amanda Hallaway SR. Hofstra Pride
AL – Rosette Rough SR. Long Island Sharks
AL – Gina Oaks SR. Cal State Fullerton Titans
