PORTLAND, Ore. -- After helping guide Weber State to one of the most successful seasons in its history, senior third baseman Lyndsey Minnich has been named as the Pacific Coast Softball Conference's Mountain Division player of the year.
Minnich, a 5-foot-8 senior from Kennewick, Wash., set six single-season records and three career records for the Purple and White this season, etching her name in the Wildcats' record books.
Minnich shares the award, voted on by the six coaches in the Mountain Division, with Idaho State's Amanda Fitzimmons.
Minnich earned unanimous first team honors on the All-Pacific Coast Mountain Division Team, while senior right-hander/utility Sarah Clark, senior outfielder Erika James-Dixon, sophomore shortstop Brooke Silva and freshman utility player Cydnee Clarke were named to the second team.
Senior second baseman Symbree Minniear, sophomore first baseman Ashley Huddleston and freshman catcher Janel Cunningham were named honorable mention, giving the Wildcats eight All-Division honorees.
"Before each game I give a little 'fire them up' talk; I focused my early talks on enjoying every minute of every game, playing free, having fun, being relaxed, and playing with confidence," Weber State coach Tina Johnson said. "Lyndsey really took those words to heart and empowered herself to be that kind of player and that kind of leader.
"She had a certain presence about her this year; a quiet confidence and a love of the game. Her confidence was fueled by her determination, work ethic and heart. It all clicked for her, and when she stepped on the field, it shined through."
In conference play, which is the basis for the awards, Minnich hit .453 with five home runs and 13 RBI as Weber State went into the final weekend of the season in the hunt for the Mountain Division title. She had a .613 on-base percentage and a .830 slugging percentage during conference play. Minnich was also walked 11 times and hit-by-pitch 11 times during PCSC action as teams struggled to contain her explosive offensive ability. Overall in 53 games, she batted .396 with 15 home runs and 49 RBI, ranking second in the PCSC in home runs and third in batting average and RBI. She had an on-base percentage of .521 and a slugging percentage of .772 as she touched 115 total bases.
Minnich set single-season records in batting average, hits, home runs, total bases, runs scored and RBIs, and career records in home runs, total bases and RBIs.
Clark, 5-foot-6 senior from Springville, hit .389 with 56 hits and 31 RBIs, and was 16-14 with a 3.53 ERA and a single-season school record 153 strikeouts.
James-Dixon, a 5-foot-7 senior from Montpelier, Idaho, hit .311 with 55 hits and 25 stolen bases. She is the PCSC's all-time career leader in stolen bases with 60 in just two seasons.
Silva, a 5-foot-5 sophomore from Sparks, Nev., hit .317 with 51 hits and 31 RBIs.
Clarke, a 5-foot-9 freshman from North Ogden, hit .297 with 35 hits and 20 RBI.
Minniear, a 5-foot-7 senior from Murray, hit .319 with 46 hits and 23 RBI, while Cunningham, a 5-foot-6 freshman from Mira Loma, Calif., hit .303 with 44 hits and 32 RBI, and Huddleston, a 5-foot-6 sophomore from North Las Vegas, Nev., had 12 hits and eight RBI, despite missing part of the season due to injury.
Portland State junior Anna Bertrand was the Mountain Division pitcher of the year. Vikings shortstop Alicia Fine was named freshman of the year, and PSU coach Tobin Echo-Hawk was named coach of the year. Utah Valley junior shortstop Krystin Jachim (Roy High) also earned honorable mention.
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