PROVO -- Following a stellar 2009 season, BYU catcher Jessica Purcell-Fitu was placed on the Top 50 Watch List for the 2010 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
“This is a tremendous opportunity and honor for me,” Purcell-Fitu said. “I want to thank my coaches and my teammates for helping me become the player I am today. I also want to thank my family for the love and support they have shown me while I have been playing here at BYU.”
This list, put together by the Amateur Softball Association of America (ASA), is considered the most prestigious honor in Division I women’s collegiate softball and is designed to recognize athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country.
The 2010 Pre-Season Watch List is comprised of 50 players representing 35 schools and 14 NCAA Division I Conferences. The list includes 27 seniors, 17 juniors and six sophomores.
Purcell-Fitu, a junior hailing from Walnut, Calif., and a 2009 All-American, has been an integral part to the Cougars' success for the past two years. She was ranked third in the nation in RBI with 1.51 per game, and 14th in home runs per game in 2009.
She also led the Mountain West Conference in batting average, slugging percentage, on base percentage RBI, hits total bases, hit by pitch at-bats and total player appearances last year.
“Jessica is extremely talented and I think she has only begun to reach her potential,” said BYU softball head coach Gordon Eakin. “When she gets hot, she has the ability to carry a team offensively. She can change a game both on offensive and on defensive.
"We are fortunate to have players in our lineup that also help Jessica succeed at a high level. If she continues to work hard, she will be recognized as one of the elite players in the NCAA.”
This award for Purcell-Fitu, combined with the Cougars being the MWC first place favorites is a good start to what will hopefully be their most successful season yet.
BYU will begin the regular season when it host the 11-team Red Desert Classic starting February 11 through the 13th. The Cougars play their first game on February 11th, at 2 p.m. against San Jose State in St. George.