Gulla, Keiter Earn All-America Honors

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Oklahoma's Leah Gulla and Kami Keiter were named to the 2003 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-America team on the eve of the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City on Wednesday night. The teams were selected by NFCA-member NCAA Division I coaches based on nominations from the 2003 season. Keiter was named to the second team with Gulla earning first-team honors.

Oklahoma, in its fourth consecutive appearance in the WCWS, was the only Big 12 school to place more than one player on the All-America team.

OU head coach Patty Gasso was pleased with the recognition for both players. "It's a great tribute to their hard work," said Gasso.

Senior third baseman Leah Gulla (Huntington Beach, Calif.) earned First-Team All-America honors after leading the Big 12 with a batting average of .402. Gulla also had conference-best numbers in hits (70) and RBI (55). Additionally, Gulla led the Sooners in doubles (15) and total bases (119). Gulla scored 21 runs, amassed a .684 slugging percentage and was the only Sooner to start every game this season.

"I was hoping for any team," admitted Gulla. "I don't want to stop now -- I want us to keep going in the World Series."

"Leah has been the most consistent player for us this season in everything she's done," said assistant coach Howard Dobson. "She came up with big hits early in the year, did it again at the NFCA Classic in Georgia and continued through our tournaments in Norman. She had a great regional to set her up for the World Series. To keep up that kind of performance all year was remarkable. With Gulla, we knew if we could get someone on base in front of her, we had a good chance of scoring."

Sophomore pitcher Kami Keiter (Arvada, Colo.) was named Second-Team All-America after amassing a 33-7 record and leading the Sooners on the mound in 2003. Keiter compiled an 0.90 ERA and struck out 246 batters in 271.1 innings for Oklahoma.

"I didn't really expect it," said Keiter. "I kind of lost hope after the third team was announced and was completely amazed when I heard my name. I'm excited and ready for our team to come out and play tomorrow."

"She's had a great season," said assistant coach Melyssa Lombardi. "Kami's got stronger and stronger. We've really been able to depend on her especially in tight situations. I was excited to see her recognized as an All-American because she's come a long way since last year. Us being here again at the Women's College World Series has had a lot to do with what she's accomplished."

"With Kami, I was holding my breath," said Gasso. "When I heard the numbers, I knew it was Kami. That was a great honor for her considering that this was such a great year for pitchers."

Oklahoma opens against Washington in the first round of the Women's College World Series at 1 p.m. on Thursday at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN and can also be followed on the internet at SoonerSports.com.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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