Braitsch, Enea Named To Player Of The Year Watch List

Feb. 14, 2003

Norman, Okla. - Oklahoma senior Kelli Braitsch and sophomore Christina Enea were named to the initial watch list for the second annual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award announced by the Amateur Softball Association, the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, on Friday.

The award, which is considered the Heisman Trophy in women's collegiate softball and is the only national player of the year award, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country.

Kelli Braitsch resumed her leadership role for the Sooners during the four-game GRU Tournament last weekend in Gainesville, Fla. The senior from Broken Arrow, Okla., batted .231 with three hits, a double, a home run and two RBI. Braitsch scored three runs. Defensively, she contributed six putouts and five assists at shortstop. Braitsch also became Oklahoma's career total bases leader with seven in the tournament to take her total to 356. She overtook former Sooner great Lisa Carey (1998-2001) who had 350 total bases over her career.

Sophomore Christina Enea (Woodland Hills, Calif.) also batted .417 and had five hits including a double and four RBI during the tournament. Enea led the team with 28 putouts and three assists from first base. Down 5-4, Enea's double in the seventh inning against USF gave Oklahoma a chance to overtake the Bulls. OU was unable to overcome the early deficit, eventually falling, 5-4, but Enea came through when her name was called.

Braitsch has previously been named two-time, first team All-Big 12, the 2001 Big 12 Conference Player of the Year and a member of the Women's College World Series All-Tournament team.

Last year, Christina Enea became the first OU softball player in the program's history to earn All-America honors as a freshman.

The initial watch list for the USA Softball Player of the Year Award is comprised of 40 players that represent 23 colleges and 11 different collegiate Conferences. Even if a player doesn't appear on the initial watch list, they are still eligible for the award.

The first 25 finalist will be announced on April 8th. The list will then be reduced to ten players on April 29th, with three finalists being named on May 13th.

The winner of the 2003 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award will be announced at the 2003 NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City. The winner will also be recognized during the ASA National Council Meeting in Orlando, FL, in November.

A replica of the award will be placed in a permanent display in the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, along with photos of the winner. An additional replica of the award will be presented to the player's academic institution.

UCLA catcher Stacey Nuveman was selected as the inaugural winner of the award after leading her Bruins to the Pac 10 title and a berth into the Women's College World Series.

The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of amateur softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. As the National Governing Body, the ASA is responsible for identifying, selecting and training male and female athletes to compete in World, Pan American and Olympic competitions.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Braitsch, Enea Named To Player Of The Year Watch List

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors