May 25, 2006
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa softball team has announced its team awards for the 2006 season. Seven Hawkeyes were given awards, including senior Stacy May and freshman Brittany Weil, who were named co-MVP’s.
A native of Reno, NV, May led the team in batting average (.339), hits (64), runs scored (40) and home runs (6). She started all 61 games at shortstop and was named second team all-Big Ten and NFCA All-Mideast Region.
Weil, from Garden Grove, CA, led the Hawkeyes in the circle with a 27-16 record. She finished the season with 34 complete games, seven shutouts and 270 strikeouts, which ranks third all-time in school history. Weil appeared in 51 games with a 2.34 ERA.
Freshman Colleen McGlaughin was given the Most Improved Player award. McGlaughlin, from Morton, IL, played in 48 games and collected 12 hits, including two home runs and three doubles. She also recorded seven RBIs on the season.
The Coaches Award was given to freshman second baseman Erin Riemersma. The Orland Park, IL, native started all 61 games and finished with a .265 batting average. Riemersma belted five home runs and collected 19 RBIs along with many solid defensive plays.
Sophomores Summer Downs and Emily Nichols were recipients of the Peg Augspurger Hawkeye Heart Award. Downs moved to the designated player position 23 games into the season after starting at third base. The San Diego, CA, native was a first team all-Big Ten selection and led the team with a .333 batting average in conference play.
Nichols, from Portland, OR, was a first team NFCA All-Mideast Region selection and a third team all-Big Ten pick. Nichols played wherever she was needed this season, including 42 games at third base and 12 at both catcher and first base. She had a team-best 34 RBIs and 14 doubles.
Sophomore Stephanie Ackerson was given the team’s Gold Glove Award. Ackerson started 54 games at first base and committed only one error to finish the season with a .997 fielding percentage. The native of Clive, IA, recorded 323 putouts and 12 assists.