April 7, 2005
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. --- Baylor softball designated player Chelsi Lake has been named one of 25 finalists for the 4th Annual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award the Amateur Softball Association announced today. The award, which is considered the Heisman Trophy in women's collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country.
Lake has helped lead the Lady Bears to a 34-5 start as Baylor has been ranked among the nation's top ten teams for six consecutive weeks. The sophomore leads the team with 12 home runs and 45 RBI and ranks second on the team with a .405 batting average on the season. Lake's 12 home runs and 45 RBI have already established new single-season school records as she currently ranks second in the conference in both categories.
Her selection as a finalist for the award marks the second consecutive year a Baylor softball player has been chosen as a finalist. Last season, left-handed pitcher Cristin Vitek was named a finalist for the award as she finished the 2004 season with a 31-7 record and 0.89 ERA.
On May 10, just days before the start of post-season play, a list of 10 finalists will be named. On May 31 the list will be cut to three and those final three players will travel to Oklahoma City for the announcement of the winner at the 2005 NCAA Women's College World Series.
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.
Florida State's Jessica Van der Linden was selected as the 2004 winner after leading her Seminole's to the ACC title and a berth to the Women's College World Series.
Past winners of the award include Stacey Nuveman (UCLA-2002), Cat Osterman (Texas-2003) and Jessica Van der Linden (Florida State-2004).
The Top 25 finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award, listed in alphabetical order, are:
Monica Abbott (Tennessee); Sophomore, Pitcher; Salinas, Calif.
Kelly Anderson (California); Senior, Pitcher; Woodland, Calif.
Holly Currie (Auburn); Sophomore, Pitcher/DP; Pisgah, Ala.
Kristi Durant (Tennessee); Junior, Catcher/3B; Placentia, Calif.
Kristie Fox (Arizona); Sophomore, Shortstop; San Diego, Calif.
Vicky Galindo (California); Senior, Third Base; Union City, Calif.
Megan Gibson (Texas A&M); Freshman, Pitcher/3B; Spring, Texas
Michelle Green (Georgia); Senior, Pitcher; Duluth, Ga.
Tiffany Haas (Michigan); Junior, 2B; Santa Ana, Calif.
Alicia Hollowell (Arizona); Junior, Pitcher; Suisun, Calif.
Lindsay James (California); Junior, Outfield; San Carlos, Calif.
Chelsi Lake (Baylor); Sophomore, Infielder; Keller, Texas
Lauren Lappin (Stanford); Junior, Shortstop; Anaheim, Calif.
Jessica Leslie (Oklahoma); Senior, Outfield; Raytown, Mo.
Caitlin Lowe (Arizona); Sophomore, Outfield; Tustin, Calif.
Jessica Merchant (Michigan); Senior, Shortstop; Wayland, Mich.
Cat Osterman (Texas); Junior, Pitcher; Houston, Texas
Jennie Ritter (Michigan); Junior, Pitcher; Dexter, Mich.
Kristen Rivera (Washington); Senior, Catcher; Perris, Calif.
Heather Scaglione (Oklahoma); Senior, Catcher; San Diego, Calif.
Amanda Scarborough (Texas A&M); Freshman, Pitcher; Magnolia, Texas
Anjelica Selden (UCLA); Freshman, Pitcher; Vacaville, Calif.
Jamie Southern (Fresno State); Senior; Pitcher/Utility; Clovis, Calif.
Kristin Vesely (Oklahoma); Junior, Outfield; Phoenix, Ariz.
Kim Wendland (Georgia); Senior, Infield; Rock Island, Ill.
Following a doubleheader against Stephen F. Austin on Thursday, April 7, at 4:00 p.m., Lake and the Lady Bears return to action on Saturday, April 9, when Baylor hosts Nebraska at 2:00 p.m. in a Big 12 Conference contest.
