Mathis, Ricketts Top 50 Finalists

Jan. 28, 2009

Norman, Okla. – University of Oklahoma left-handed pitcher D.J. Mathis and first baseman Samantha Ricketts have been named top 50 finalists for USA Softball's Collegiate Player of the Year, the Amateur Softball Association announced today. The 2009 watch list is comprised of 50 players representing 32 schools and 13 different NCAA Division I Conferences. The ASA will announce the 25 finalists on April 1. A player does not have to appear on the initial watch list to be considered as a top 25 finalist. However, once the top 25 finalists are named the winner of the award will come from that list.

Mathis, a second team All-American a year ago, also earned first team All-Midwest Region and first team All-Big 12 honors. She was a top 25 finalist for the National Player of the Year award in 2008. Mathis posted a 31-7 record and an earned run average of 1.18 with 263 strikeouts as a junior. She went 10-1 in Big 12 play with a 1.15 ERA and 73 strikeouts. During conference play, she held batters to a .148 average. Mathis recorded a 3-0 record during the Norman regional, tallying a 1.52 ERA in 23 innings of work. During OU's 11-inning 6-5 win over Arkansas on May 17, Mathis threw 195 pitches and followed that with a one-hitter, five-inning contest against Oregon on May 18.

Ricketts was a first team All-Big 12 selection and second team All-Midwest Region honoree in 2008. She earned All-Big 12 tournament team honors and was a named to the National Player of the Year top 50 list. Ricketts hit .352 on the year with a team-leading 51 runs batted in. She also recorded 13 home runs in 159 at-bats. During conference play, Ricketts upped her average to .360. During the Norman Regional, Ricketts hit .417 with three runs batted in. Ricketts was a top three finalist for National Player of the Year in 2007.

Oklahoma begins the 2009 campaign Feb. 5-7 at the Hawai'i Paradise Classic in Honolulu. The Sooners open at home on Feb. 18, hosting Stephen F. Austin in a 2 p.m. doubleheader at the OU Softball Complex.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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