FIU softball sweeps SBC Awards

FIU softball swept the Performer of the Year honors at the 2010 Sun Belt Conference Softball Championship awards ceremony May 11 at Jaguar Field in Mobile, Ala. Senior Kasey Barrett was named SBC Pitcher of the Year, while sophomore Ashley McClain received SBC Player of the Year recognition and freshman Brie Rojas was tabbed SBC Freshman of the Year.

Both Barrett and McClain’s honors mark the first ever of its kind in FIU softball history, as well as the first of each of their careers.

(L-R): Sophomore Ashley McClain; senior Kasey Barrett; freshman Kayla Burri; freshman Brie Rojas; and freshman Jessy Alfonso.

The Panthers also placed five student-athletes on the All-SBC First and Second teams, as the handful of conference accolades includes four first-team selections. Freshman Jessy Alfonso (3B), Barrett (P), McClain (OF) and Rojas (2B) were all named to the first team, each earning their first career SBC postseason honor. The four first-team picks tie a school record (FIU previously placed four student-athletes on the first team in 2003 and 2006).

Freshman Kayla Burri earned second-team honors at shortstop despite missing nine games due to injury. She also earned her first postseason league nod.

In addition to the student-athlete accolades, third-year head coach Beth McClendon was named SBC Co-Coach of the Year along with Louisiana’s Stefni Lotief.

The awards ceremony also included conference academic accolades. FIU placed two student-athletes, senior Lauren Spiers and sophomore Jennifer Gniadek, on the SBC Commissioner’s List with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Barrett and senior Morgan Huling were recognized for their academic achievements as well.