Softball Team Hands Out Awards
May 11, 2004 | Softball
The Wisconsin softball team awarded several of its players at its season-ending banquet last Friday night at the Kohl Center. The Badgers ended their season with a 29-28 record overall with a 6-14 mark in the Big Ten.
Co-Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year: Boo Gillette
A team captain for the past two years, Gillette was a major source of power in the Wisconsin lineup. The junior led the Badgers with five home runs and a single-season record 34 RBI, and was second with a .328 batting average. Gillette blasted two grand slams this season, including one in Wisconsin's biggest comeback win in history against Michigan State on April 11. In the 11-8 win, Gillette recorded four hits and a UW single-game record six RBI. She also notched her 14th double of the season in the contest, giving her Wisconsin's single-season record. Gillette has caused problems for opposing base runners, as well, holding opponents to a 48 percent success rate in steal attempts. She also picked off a conference-leading seven runners. Gillette was honored with a Big Ten Player of the Week award for the week of March 2.
Co-Most Valuable Player: Kris Zacher
Wisconsin's starting shortstop for all 57 games, Zacher set a new single-season hit record with 63 while batting for a team-high .350 average. Providing power and speed as well, Zacher was second on the team with four homers, 31 RBI and 10 doubles, and led the Badgers with three triples and 13 stolen bases. Zacher was named the Big Ten's Player of the Week on April 12 for her .500 average, 10 runs scored and 4 RBI in the previous seven days. During that week, Zacher gave the Badgers walk-off hits in both ends of a doubleheader against Loyola-Chicago on April 7. Zacher was also awarded with a spot on the all-tournament team at the Capital Classic, going 6-for-16 (.375) with three runs scored, two home runs, six RBI and an .813 slugging percentage from March 19-21.
Most Improved Player: Megan Smith
A freshman walk-on, Smith appeared in 12 games this season and posted a 1-1 record with a 3.16 ERA. In just 31 innings of work, Smith struck out 10 batters. Smith worked a complete game in her first collegiate start ' a heartbreaking nine-inning loss to Hawai'i on Feb. 14. After that game, Smith surrendered only seven runs in 22 innings, giving her a 2.22 ERA for the remaining season. Smith got her first collegiate win a week later, working 5.1 innings and allowing only one run as Wisconsin downed Utah State 7-1.
Defensive Player of the Year: Athena Vasquez
Starting all 57 games at third base, Vasquez made a huge impact on the field. The freshman handled a team-leading and single-season record 185 assists, and unofficially has the most assists of any Division I third baseman. Vasquez's average of 3.24 assists per game is believed to be the third highest in Division I. Vasquez also contributed at the plate, notching 17 RBI with seven doubles and two homers, one of which gave the Badgers a 2-1 win over Iowa at the Hawkeye Classic on March 28.
Freshman of the Year: Eden Brock
Arguably Wisconsin's ace on the mound, Brock led the Badgers with 30 appearances and 24 starts while hurling for a team-low 1.71 ERA and a 12-13 record. Brock also led the squad with six shutouts in 14 complete games. Brock nearly reached perfection against Loyola-Chicago on April 7. Brock retired the first sixteen batters she faced, before surrendering a single with one out in the sixth inning. Brock recorded three wins during Wisconsin's record-tying eight-game winning streak from Feb. 21-29.
Coaches' Award: Katie Layne
The Badgers' only returning pitcher entering the 2004 season, Layne led the pitching staff with 13 victories and 90 strikeouts while throwing for a 2.72 ERA. Layne went the distance in 14 of her 22 starts, including a gusty eight-inning performance in Wisconsin's 4-2 win over Northwestern on April 9. Layne threw two shutouts this season, against Marshall on Feb. 29, and versus conference rival Minnesota on May 8. Layne earned a spot on the all-tournament team at the National Invitational Softball Tournament, going 2-1 with a 0.00 ERA in 16.2 innings pitched, scattering seven hits and striking out 11 over the course of three games.
Academic Achievement Award: Natalie Phillips
Showing excellence on the field and in the classroom, this is the second straight year Phillips has received the Academic Achievement Award. A junior majoring in political science and history for secondary education, Phillips owns the team 's highest GPA and is an Athletic Board Scholar. On the diamond, Phillips slugged two home runs and three doubles with eight RBI for the Badgers.
Badger Pride Award: Sam Polito
Polito made a big impact at Wisconsin in her first year playing collegiate softball, starting all 57 games for the Cardinal and White. Hitting in the leadoff spot, Polito was second on the team with 33 runs scored, and was third on the squad with 46 hits, good enough for a .247 batting average. The speedy Polito was also second on the team with four stolen bases and tied for second with two triples. A staple in centerfield, Polito led all Wisconsin outfielders with 62 putouts.
Most Inspirational Player: Diana Consolmagno
Wisconsin's lone graduating senior, Consolmagno exemplified leadership, serving as a team captain for the past three seasons. Consolmagno contributed to the Badger cause by belting two home runs and seven doubles with 13 RBI in 54 games played. Consolmagno smacked the second grand slam of her career in Wisconsin's 7-1 win over Utah State on Feb. 21 at the ASU Louisville Slugger Classic. Consolmagno 's energy extended to her defensive play as well, as she led all Badger outfielders with five assists.
