June 9, 2008
IOWA CITY – The University of Iowa softball team recently celebrated the 2008 season at its annual banquet. The Hawkeye coaching staff also handed out team awards at the banquet.
Junior Brittany Weil was named the team’s Most Valuable Player. The Garden Grove, CA, native was a first team NFCA Mideast all-Region selection and was also named second team all-Big Ten. Weil was also selected as Big Ten Pitcher of the Week a school record four times during the 2008 campaign. She led the team with a 28-15 record along with a 1.22 earned run average and 296 strikeouts, which is the second most in Iowa single-season history. Weil was honored as team co-Most Valuable Player as both a freshman and sophomore.
Junior Erin Riemersma was recognized as the team’s Golden Glove winner. The Hawkeye shortstop anchored Iowa’s defense with many outstanding plays. The Orland Park, IL, native finished the season with 115 putouts and 82 assists.
Sophomores Amanda Zust and Katie Brown were named co-Most Improved Player. Zust, a native of Des Moines, finished with a 14-5 record with 120 strikeouts. She also collected a 1.24 earned run average and picked up impressive wins over nationally-ranked opponents Louisiana-Lafayette and Ohio State.
Brown had a breakout sophomore season and was named first team all-Big Ten. The Spirit Lake, IA, native ended the season with eight home runs, 10 doubles and 27 RBI. Brown became one of Iowa’s top power-hitters at the end of the season, blasting five of her nine home runs and batting .615 (8-13) in the final two regular seasons games at Illinois and during the Big Ten Tournament.
Senior Summer Downs and sophomore Lindsey Digmann were both recipients of the Coaches Award. Downs, from San Diego, CA, played her entire career at Iowa with a nagging back injury. She started in 58 of the 59 games played in 2008, batting .240 with one home run and 21 RBI, while splitting time at third base and as the designated player.
Digmann made a smooth transition to the outfield in 2008, a position she had never played before. The Marion, IA, native made many solid defensive plays in both center and left field, while batting .267 with 17 stolen bases.
Sophomore Heidi Daumen was awarded the Peg Augsburger Hawkeye Heart Award for the second-consecutive season. Daumen played in 26 games with three starts, but played a key role in Iowa’s success as both a pinch-runner and bullpen catcher. The Aurora, IL, native collected her first hit and RBI, March 14, against Elon.
Junior Colleen McGlaughlin was honored for her academic achievements. The Morton, IL, native was an ESPN the Magazine Academic all-America first team selection and was also an EPSN the Magazine first team Academic all-District pick.
The Hawkeyes finished the 2008 season with a 42-20 overall record. Iowa finished third in the Big Ten with a 14-6 mark and appeared in the Big Ten Tournament championship game for the second time in four years. The Hawkeyes were also selected to host an NCAA Regional for the eighth time in school history and advanced to the championship game of the regional.