Softball: Orgeron Named Top 11 Finalist For Softball Player of the Year

Contact: Cory Weigel

LAFAYETTE, La. – Ragin’ Cajuns senior outfielder Christi Orgeron was named one of 11 finalists for the USA Softball Player of the Year award, as announced by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) on Wednesday.
 
Due to a tie, 11 individuals are being honored this season. This award, which is considered the most prestigious honor in Division I women’s collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country.  This year’s finalists are comprised of five seniors, three juniors, two sophomores, and one freshman.  The student-athletes selected represent nine NCAA Division I universities and six athletic conferences. California and Oklahoma lead the way among universities with two athlete representatives each.   
 
Orgeron makes her second appearance on the list for the annual honor as she was a top 10 finalist in 2011 when she became one of just four players in NCAA history to reach 100 RBI in a season, finishing the year with 101 RBI to set the UL and Sun Belt single-season record.
 
The New Orleans, La. native was named the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year for the second consecutive season at the Sun Belt’s championship banquet on Tuesday, as well as being named to the all-conference first team. The fifth-year senior adds to her list of accolades on the year, including being named a top ten finalist for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.
 
Orgeron became the Sun Belt’s career leader in doubles (62) and RBI (283) and tied an NCAA single-season record for grand slams with six. Orgeron is ranked third in the nation in runs per game (1.29), seventh in home runs (20) and 12th in slugging percentage (.872). She leads the conference in five categories: RBI, home runs, slugging percentage, walks and total bases. Orgeron, who leads the nation in RBI (89) for the second year in a row, was also named a USA Softball National Player of the Week for the week of Feb. 13-19 and was listed as an ESPN.com Preseason All-American.
 
The three finalists selected from this list will be announced May 23, while the winner of the 2012 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award will be revealed on May 29 prior to the start of the NCAA WCWS in Oklahoma City. 
 
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award is voted on by coaching representatives from 11 Division I Conferences in the 15 ASA Regions as well as members of the media who consistently cover Division I Softball across the country, and previous Player of the Year recipients.
 
2012 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Finalists
Name (School) – Year – Position – Hometown
Valerie Arioto (California) – Senior – Utility – Pleasanton, Calif.
Katelyn Boyd (Arizona State) – Senior – Shortstop – Phoenix, Ariz.
Lauren Chamberlain  (Oklahoma) – Freshman – Infield – Trabuco Canyon, Calif.
Raven Chavanne (Tennessee) – Junior – Third base/Outfield – Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Jolene Henderson (California) – Junior – Pitcher/First base – Elk Grove, Calif.
Michelle Moultrie (Florida) – Senior – Center field – Jacksonville, Fla.
Sara Nevins (South Florida) – Sophomore – Pitcher – Pinellas Park, Fla.
Christi Orgeron (Louisiana) – Senior – Outfield – New Orleans, La.
Sara Plourde (UMass) – Senior – Pitcher – Bristol, Conn.
Keilani Ricketts (Oklahoma) – Junior – Pitcher – San Jose, Calif.
Jackie Traina (Alabama) – Sophomore – Pitcher/Designated player – Naples, Fla.