Long Beach State University Athletics
49ers Garner Nine All-Conference Honors
5/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 13, 2008
Long Beach, Calif. -
Long Beach State's Brooke Turner became the first dual major award winner in conference history, winning both the Big West Pitcher of the Year and Freshman Pitcher of the Year awards as announced by the conference office today. Head Coach Kim Sowder was also named Big West Co-Coach of the Year, sharing the honor with UC Santa Barbara's Brie Galicinao.
Long Beach State was well-represented throughout the All-Conference teams, as the 49ers had eight players recognized for their play in 2008. The 49ers had the most first-team selections of any team in the conference as four players were chosen as first-teamers. Turner, who compiled a 26-4 record during the regular season to go with 12-0 Big West record was named to the first-team, as was her battery mate, Brooke LeSage, who was the first-team catcher. A pair of 49er outfielders also were first-team selections, as Lacy Tyler topped her 2007 second-team selection, and Danielle Linke was also chosen in her first year with the 49ers.
The Beach also had three selections on the second-team. Jessica Beaver reprised a 2007 selection at shortstop, and Jennifer Griffin's solid season at third base also merited All-Big West honors. The 49ers other pitcher, Bridgette Pagano, was also chosen for the second-team, as the 49ers joined Cal State Fullerton as the only two teams in the conference to have both pitchers named the first or second team.
Rounding out the 49ers selections, outfielder Franciska Morlet was picked as an Honorable Mention, putting six of eight position players on the All-Conference list for the Beach.
Long Beach State takes a 39-15 record and a No.14 national seed into the NCAA Regionals this weekend, where the 49ers will open play Friday at 5 p.m. CT against Creighton in the Iowa City Regional.
