May 17, 2007
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa softball team announced its 2007 team awards at its annual banquet. Junior Emily Nichols and sophomore Brittany Weil were named co-Most Valuable Players.
Nichols, a second team all-Big Ten pick, led the team in almost every offensive category and maintained a .400 batting average during the 58-game season. She carried a 28-game hitting streak, which was the longest in Big Ten history and also the seventh longest in NCAA history. The Portland, OR, native also broke Iowa’s career home run record with 33 round-trippers in her three-year career.
Weil led the Hawkeyes in the circle after missing the first 24 games of the season with a head injury. She had a team-best 18 wins, 1.69 earned-run average and 178 strikeouts. The Garden Grove, CA, native was also a second team all-Big Ten selection.
Nichols was also awarded the Golden Glove for her efforts behind the plate. She allowed only two passed balls and threw out seven runners stealing.
Freshmen Amanda Zust and Taylor Leichsenring were named the team’s Most Improved Players. Zust shouldered the pitching during the first 24 games of the season when Weil was sidelined and compiled a 10-7 record with 146 strikeouts in 131.2 innings pitched. She also held a 0.75 earned-run average in conference play.
Leichsenring was fourth on the team with a .322 batting average and was a solid hitter in the two-spot during the season. She also collected one triple, eight RBI and five stolen bases while splitting time in right field and as the designated player.
Sophomores Colleen McGlaughlin and Erin Riemersma were given the Coaches Award. McGlaughlin played wherever she was needed this season, starting 24 games at second base, 19 games at third base, 13 games in left field and one game at both shortstop and right field. She batted .339 with three home runs, 15 doubles and 26 RBI and was named third team all-Big Ten.
Riemersma started 57 games at shortstop and batted .260 with five home runs, nine doubles and 29 RBI. She was also a first team all-Big Ten honoree.
The Peg Augspurger Hawkeye Heart Award was given to walk-on Heidi Daumen. The Aurora, IL, native appeared in 10 games with one at-bat, but served primarily as Iowa’s bullpen catcher.
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