Scaglione Named Finalist For USA Softball Player Of The Year

NORMAN, Okla. The Amateur Softball Association, the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, and USA Softball announced Wednesday that Oklahoma junior catcher Heather Scaglione was one of 25 finalists for the 2004 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award. 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. The final list is comprised of 25 players that represent 18 colleges and six different Conferences.

Scaglione, who leads the Big 12 in home runs (12) and RBI (35), is one of two catchers on the list (Washington Kristin Rivera being the other). Junior pitcher Kami Keiter was on the initial preseason watch list, but did not make the cut this time. Scaglione received another honor this week when she was named Big 12 Player of the Week for the third time this season. 2003 senior Leah Gulla was also a finalist for the award.

The list will be reduced to ten players on April 28 and three finalists will be announced May 11. The winner of the 2004 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award will be announced May 26 at the opening ceremonies of the NCAA College World Series in Oklahoma City, OK. The winner will be recognized and presented with the Player of the Year trophy during the ASA National Council Meeting in Mobile, Alabama, 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.

The No. 17 Oklahoma softball team looks to continue its two game Big 12 winning streak when they face in-state rival Oklahoma State on Thursday night. The softball version of the Bedlam Series, presented by Bank of Oklahoma and your Oklahoma Ford Dealers, is set for a 7 p.m. start from the Cowgirl Softball Complex on the OSU campus.

The contest has major implications in a couple areas for both teams. Oklahoma State (0-4) is mired in its worst conference start - Big 12 or Big Eight - in program history. OU is 2-4 in conference and needs a win to keep pace and advance from its current sixth place standing. As for the Bedlam Standings, the two schools are tied at 5-5 with the first softball contest give the winning university the all important lead in pursuit of the Bedlam Bell.

OU took two of three meetings from Oklahoma State in 2003, but both squads have changed dramatically since then. Oklahoma State (20-20, 0-4) has struggled to replace 2003 Big 12 Player of the Year Lauren Bay. Bay led OSU offensively and in the circle last season. In her absence the Pokes are hitting just .226 as team, while there staff has a 2.40 ERA. Freshman slapper Shanel Scott (.362, 18 SB) is the top OSU hitter, while freshman Jessica Hoppock (16-13, 2.16) has carried the majority of the pitching load.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Scaglione Named Finalist For USA Softball Player Of The Year

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