Glendora, CA (Softball) – Fresh off winning their first ever Western States Conference Championship, and first conference title since 1983, the Citrus College softball team has earned a slew of post-season honors including player of the year and coach of the year.
After being named WSC Pitcher of the Year in 2006, Corinne Milligan was named WSC Player of the year in 2007. Milligan was not only dominating in the pitcher’s circle, but explosive at the plate as she hit a team high .440, while posting a 1.24 ERA. Milligan also racked up 40 runs scored and 26 RBI’s, to go along with 239 strike-outs and a .187 batting average against. Milligan is also two wins off the wins in a season record for Citrus pitchers, currently sitting at 25-7.
While Milligan won Player of the Year, Head Coach Jackie Boxley was named Western States Conference Coach of the Year for 2007. Boxley, who guided the team to the WSC Championship, and the highest regular season win total in Citrus history (35), has made the Lady Owls perennial contenders in Southern California. Boxley is all ready the all-time wins leader in Citrus history, and has posted an impressive .698 winning percentage in her 3 seasons at the helm of the Lady Owls.
The honors didn’t stop there, as sophomore Caitlin Tolan and freshman Melanie Hansen earned 1st team All-WSC honors. Tolan, who earlier in the year became the first player under Boxley’s helm to commit to a NCAA Division I school, hit .353 and tied for the team lead with 5 home-runs. Hansen had a stellar season playing short-stop for Citrus, as she hit .352 and drove in a team high 36 RBI’s.
Rounding out the conference honors we’re sophomore catcher Ashlie Paredez (.331 batting average) and freshman second baseman Denise Hernandez (.300 batting average), who both earned 2nd team All-WSC nods. Also getting honored we’re Jessica Alvarez (.360 batting average and 2.12 ERA) and Lety Avalos (.281 batting average) who received Honorable Mention honors.
The Lady Owls season is still going on as they await their seed in the Southern California playoffs. Seeds will be announced later today. Stay tuned to the Citrus College web-site for more information regarding the playoffs.