Scaglione Claims Another Honor

NORMAN, Okla. The honors just keep rolling in for Oklahoma senior catcher Heather Scaglione, who was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year at the annual Big 12 Softball Awards Banquet on Wednesday afternoon. Scaglione has won the award the last two years and is the only player to ever receive the recognition, which was inaugurated in 2004.

It has been a momentous two days for the Sooner signal caller. She was invited to the USA National Team Selection Camp (June 13-17) on Tuesday morning. Hours later she was named as one of 10 finalists, along with OU junior Kristin Vesely, for the USA Softball Player of the Year Award. She also garnered Coaches First Team All-Big 12 honors on Wednesday afternoon, which marks the fourth such honor of her career and the second time she has landed on the First Team.

Complete All-Big 12 Team

“It is all a bit overwhelming,” said Scaglione. “I have to give all the credit to my teammates. They push me each day and have made me into the player I am. I see this defensive award as a team recognition, that the Big 12 coaches believe I am a leader on one of the best defenses in the league. That is something that brings me great pride.”

No player in the league has more of an impact on the defensive side of the ball than Scaglione. The rifle armed catcher threw out seven of 27 runners this season, in addition to committing just five errors and recording a fielding percentage of .987.

Scaglione was also a terror at the plate, where she led all players in home runs (8), RBI (18), slugging percentage (.893) and total bases (50) in conference action.

“Heather is a known commodity and teams game plan around her offensively and defensively,” said OU head coach Patty Gasso. “She has become such a patient player, who waits for the opportunity to take advantage. I truly believe she has been the best all-around catcher - offensively, defensively - in the country the last two seasons.”

The Sooners begin play in the Big 12 Tournament in a few hours. OU opens against the winner of the 5 p.m. play-in game between No. 7-seed Nebraska and No. 10-seed Iowa State. First pitch is set for 7:30 p.m. on Field 4 at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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