ORLANDO, Fla. – The Barry University softball team landed four members on the 2006 All-Sunshine State Conference softball team announced Tuesday, which were voted on by the head coaches and sports information directors of all member schools. All nine SSC member institutions were represented on the All-SSC softball team.
Junior Maile Keeney and freshman Shyla Rider were tabbed to the All-SSC first-team, while Rider also garnered SSC Freshman of the Year honors. Senior Ramie Garcia earned Second Team All-SSC accolades and junior Ashley Loose earned Honorable Mention honors. All four recipients helped lead Barry to a 37-11 overall record, a second place finish in the Sunshine State Conference, and the program’s 12th appearance in the NCAA tournament. The Buccaneers also finished the regular season ranked 10th in the latest NFCA (National Fast Pitch Coaches Association) top-25 poll.
A native of Woodbridge, Va., Rider earned her first All-SSC award as well as the top freshman award. Her .428 batting average for the season led the team and ranked second in the conference. In her rookie season, she set Barry single-season records with 18 doubles and 26 extra base hits. She posted outstanding numbers and a newcomer going 68 of 159 (.428) at the plate, 18 doubles, 43 runs scored, seven home runs, and 37 RBI. She also led the team with a .686 slugging percentage and a .497 on-base percentage. She was also tabbed SSC player of the week twice and ranked in the top five in nearly every conference offensive category.
Keeney, of Longwood, Fla., finished the regular season posting career highs in batting average, home runs, slugging percentage and RBI. Her 50 RBI and nine home runs led the team and ranked third and fourth respectively in the conference. Her First-Team All-SSC honor was her second all-conference award having been a Second-Team selection at DP as a sophomore in 2005. She was also tabbed as SSC player of the week once this season.
Scottsdale, Ariz. Native Garcia earned her second All-SSC honor earning the Second-Team award. Last season she earned All-SSC honorable mention honors. This year, she has been the Buccaneers’ ace from the circle posted career numbers in earned run average, strikeouts, wins and opponent batting average. She ranked third in the league with a 0.88 ERA and fifth in wins, and also led the team in both categories. She was also tabbed SSC pitcher of the week four times throughout the 2006 season, which led all SSC pitchers receiving the award.
Loose (Mill Creek, Wash.) emerged as one of the Buccaneer offensive leaders this season setting career highs in home runs, RBI and stolen bases to earn All-SSC honorable mention honors. She led the team with 29 stolen bases and ranked second on the Buccaneer squad with 40 RBI. Her .331 season average ranked four on the team, while her three home runs ranked third. She also belted her first career grand slam against Albany State Mar. 7.
The Buccaneers are now preparing to the NCAA South Region Tournament which will be hosted by Florida Southern in Lakeland, Fla. May 11-15. Barry is scheduled to play Valdosta State on Thursday, May 11 at 1:30 pm.
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