TEXAS-ARLINGTON'S KATY COX, BEVERLY ROWAN HONORED BY SLC
4/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 30, 2003
ARLINGTON, Texas...The University of Texas at Arlington junior pitcher Katy Cox was named the Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year and freshman designated player/outfielder Beverly Rowan was named the Utility Player of the Year, while seventh year head coach Debbie Nichols-Hedrick was unamiously voted Coach of the Year league officials announced Wednesday afternoon.
Cox led the Lady Mavericks with a 1.33 ERA and a 23-6 record. The Haltom City native broke the career strikeout record at UTA earlier this season and now owns 721 career strikeouts. Cox becomes the third Lady Maverick to take home Pitcher of the Year honors and it is the fourth time the award was given to Texas-Arlington.
Rowan was tabbed the Utility Player of the Year after appearing in the UTA lineup as a catcher, outfielder or designated player. She has played in all 50 games for the Lady Mavs and owns a team best 32 RBI. This is only the fourth year this award has been given, and it is the first Utility Player of the Year honor for UTA.
After leading her team to the Southland Conference regular season title with a 23-4 league record (35-15 overall), Hedrick was tabbed by her peers as the 2003 Coach of the Year. This season, Hedrick's squad set a new school record for conference wins (23). This is the first Coach of the Year honor for Hedrick and the third time Texas-Arlington took home the honors.
Cox and senior outfielder Melanie Williams were the lone Lady Mavs to be named to the first team. Cox owns a 15-2 league record, while striking out 160 batters in conference action. Williams, a preseason second team selection, leads the Lady Mavs with a .380 batting average, seven stolen bases and 19 sacrifice hits. In league action, Williams owns a .452 average.
Texas-Arlington clouds the second team with three selections. Freshman pitcher Jill Garro finished the regular season with a 12-9 record (8-2 in league play) and a 1.67 ERA. Fellow freshman Falon Kwasnick was named to the second team after appearing in all 50 games at first base for UTA and owning a .331 batting average, second best on the team. Rowan, a solid player throughout, received nods for the second team as designated player and for the third team as an outfielder. Making her collegiate debut, the freshman has collected 12 doubles, two triples and three home runs.
Also representing Texas-Arlington on the third team is sophomore catcher Crystal Krebs. Krebs appeared in 42 games for the Lady Mavs. Owner of a .289 average, Krebs knocked four doubles and one homerun in 2003.
Freshman Autumn Petrino earned honorable mention honors for her efforts in the outfield. Petrino is fourth on the sqaud with a .255 average and has collected nine doubles, two triples and is tied for the team lead in home runs with three.
Texas-Arlington enters the SLC Tournament this weekend, May 2-4, as the number one seed and will looke to earn its first ever berth to the NCAA tournament. The Lady Mavs will kick off the tournament Friday morning at 11 a.m. against Sam Houston State.
...utamavericks...
