May 19, 2010
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IOWA CITY – The Big Ten Conference announced its 2010 all-Big Ten softball teams Wednesday, which include sophomore Liz Watkins and seniors Taylor Leichsenring and Lindsey Digmann. Watkins and Leichsenring were both second team selections while Digmann was named to the third team.
Watkins was chosen as the second team catcher. She was second on the team with a .392 batting average and 20 hits during conference play. Watkins led the team with four doubles and also tallied one triple, one home run and 10 RBI. She recorded a .569 slugging percentage and a .508 on base percentage. The Taylor Ridge, IL, native did not commit an error behind the plate in 74 chances during Big Ten play. This is Watkins’ second all-Big Ten honor, as she was a third team selection as a freshman.
Leichsenring was one of three outfielders picked to the second team. She led the team with 23 hits during league play, including one double and three RBI. She batted .390 during conference action, which was third-best on the team. The Clear Creek, IA, native also swiped five bases in six attempts and scored eight runs, while recording at least one hit in the final nine league games of the season. This is Leichsenring’s first all-Big Ten honor.
Digmann also earned her first all-Big Ten accolade, and was one of two second basemen honored on the third team. The Marion, IA, native led the Hawkeyes with a .395 batting average and was a perfect 7-for-7 in stolen bases during league play. She was second on the team with 11 runs scored and also had four RBI. Digmann tallied 26 putouts and 17 assists with just one error in 14 conference games played. She suffered a leg injury in the first game of a doubleheader against Illinois and was forced to miss the final three conference games of the season with the injury.
Michigan’s Nikki Nemitz and Maggie Viefhaus shared Big Ten Player of the Year honors while Michigan hurler Jordan Taylor was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Year. Ohio State pitcher Melanie Nichols was tabbed Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Illinois’ Terri Sullivan was the conference Coach of the Year.