May 26, 2010
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Georgia Tech redshirt senior second baseman Jen Yee has been named one of the three finalists for the USA Softball Player of the Year Award announced today by the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA). Yee, as well as UCLA’s Megan Langenfeld and Washington’s Danielle Lawrie comprise this year’s finalists. The winner of the 2010 USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year will be named on Tue., June 1 at the Opening Ceremonies of the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Yee is the first Yellow Jacket to earn a spot in the final three. In 2007, former All-American Caitlin Lever was one of the final 10 selected. Her 2010 awards already include ACC Player of the Year, 1st-Team NFCA All-Southeast Region and 1st-Team All-ACC.
Yee reached base safely at least once in all 62 games this season and leads the nation in batting average (.568), slugging percentage (1.270), on-base percentage (.732), runs scored (93) and walks (88). She is also tied for first nationally with 29 home runs. Yee struck out just six times all season and was 21-for-22 in stolen base attempts, good for fourth in the ACC. Her 84 hits and 63 RBI led the league while her 15 doubles ranked third. She was a two-time Louisville Slugger/NFCA National Player of the Week and five-time ACC Player of the Week.
The North Delta, British Columbia native had 24 multi-hit and 17 multi-RBI games in the regular season and began the year hitting safely in 19 straight games. Yee was intentionally walked 31 times this year which is an NCAA single-season record.
Yee broke several school records this season. She surpassed Tara Knudsen’s career walks (119) record as well as Amy Hosier’s single-season walks mark (52). In addition, Yee took down current assistant coach Aileen Morales’ single-season runs record (73). Yee did it, however, in 24 less games than Morales. Yee also topped Morales’ career runs scored record (216), Knudsen’s career doubles record (45) and Whitney Haller’s single-season home runs (24) and total bases mark (171). Her batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage would all be NCAA records as well.
This award, which is considered the most prestigious honors in Division I women’s collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country. Past winners of this award include UCLA’s Stacey Nuveman, Florida State’s Jessica Van der Linden, three-time winner Texas pitcher Cat Osterman, Tennessee’s Monica Abbott, Virginia Tech’s Angela Tincher and 2009 winner Washington pitcher/hitter Danielle Lawrie.
