Utah State players honored by collegesportsmadness.com.
Jan. 15, 2013
LOGAN, Utah -
College Sports Madness announced its preseason all-Western Athletic Conference softball team this week and three Utah State athletes were selected as preseason honorees. The staff at College Sports Madness has picked the top softball players in each conference. These players are expected to make significant contributions to their team in the upcoming season.
First-team honors were given to senior infielder Christine Thomsen, who proved to be one of the biggest offensive threats in the WAC her junior season. Thomsen posted a league-leading .418 batting average to go along with only seven strikeouts last season. The senior will continue to pack the punch for the middle of the Utah State offense in 2013.
Receiving second-team honors were senior pitcher Mandy Harmon and sophomore outfielder Hailey Froton.
Harmon will anchor the starting rotation for USU this upcoming season relying on her experience to lead the Aggie pitching staff in 2013. Harmon tallied 100 strikeouts in 139-innings of work last season.
Froton came on strong late last season for Utah State, as she put together a head-turning freshman campaign. Froton registered a .274 batting average last season, which was the third-highest by a USU player. The outfielder will look to continue to progress and help her squad offensively. Froton also has the second most homeruns on her team season with six long balls.
The Aggies will open their 2013 campaign at the Red Desert Classic on Feb. 8, 2013 in St. George, Utah. Utah State will open the classic with a bout against Southeastern Conference foe Tennessee.
Follow Utah State athletics, including softball, at http://twitter.com/USUAthletics.com, as well as on facebook, at https://www.facebook.com/USUAthletics.
2013 College Madness WAC Preseason All-Conference Teams
Field Player of the Year
Haley Lemons, Texas State
Pitcher of the Year
Amanda Pridmore, San Jose State
Freshman of the Year
Rebecca Stokes, Texas-Arlington
Coach of the Year
Ricci Woodard, Texas State
First Team
P Amanda Pridmore, San Jose State
P Anne Marie Taylor, Texas State
P Teri Lyles, Texas-Arlington
IF Anna Hernandez, Texas State
IF Melanie Goff, Louisiana Tech
IF Bubba Morrow, Seattle
IF Christine Thomsen, Utah State
IF Haley Lemons, Texas State
OF Michelle Cox, San Jose State
OF Sarah Petosa, Seattle
OF Brooke Baker, Texas State
UT Malena Padilla, New Mexico State
Second Team
P Haylee Staton, Texas-San Antonio
P Mandy Harmon, Utah State
P Michelle Jones, Louisiana Tech
IF Lisa Maulden, Seattle
IF Megan Low, Texas-San Antonio
IF Brianna Guerrero, Seattle
IF Courtney Buchman, Texas-San Antonio
IF Jessica Garcia, San Jose State
OF Hailey Froton, Utah State
OF Rebecca Stokes, Texas-Arlington
OF Amber Olive, New Mexico State
UT Kelsey Dodd, New Mexico State
-USU-
