BIRMINGHAM – Texas Southern duo Thomasina Garza and Rebecca Villarreal topped the list of selections for the 2013 All-SWAC Softball teams. Garza, a junior second baseman from Pasedena, Texas, was named SWAC Player of the Year, while Villarreal, a senior from Houston, captured Pitcher of the Year honors. In addition, Garza was also named Newcomer of the Year.
Joining Garza and Villarreal on the list of superlative honorees was Freshman of the Year, Canessa Swanson (Jackson State), Hitter of the Year, Alexandria Robertson (Mississippi Valley State) and SWAC Coach of the Year Worley Barker of Texas Southern.
The SWAC All-Conference teams are selected by league Coaches and Sports Information Directors.
Garza played in 46 games for TSU, batting .494, ranking her second in the conference. She had a team-leading six home runs. Garza led the SWAC in RBIs (61), hits (77) and doubles (25). She also was tied for first in runs-scored with 45. Garza was second in the conference in total bases with 124, racking up an on-base percentage of .795. She walked only eight times this season while also picking up nine stolen bases. Defensively she had a total of 88 assists with only four errors, with a fielding percentage of .977. Garza was voted SWAC Player of the Week during back-to-back weeks this season.
Villarreal was the TSU ace this season going 15-7, ranking her first in the SWAC in wins. She finished the regular season with a 3.00 earned run average ranking 4th in the SWAC. In 121.1 innings, she gave up 119 hits, holding opposing batters had an average of .255. Villarreal had 84 strikeouts, while walking half that number. She finished the regular season with 14 complete games. During the season, she was named SWAC Pitcher of the Week.
Swanson started 52-of-53 games for Jackson State. She finished the regular season batting .296, with 20 RBIs, a triple and seven doubles. She also scored 39 runs and stole 17-of-21 baseas. On defense, Swanson had a fielding percentage of .960. During the 2013 campaign, Swanson earned both College Sports Madness SWAC Player of the Week and SWAC Player of the Week honors.
Robertson carried the big club for Mississippi Valley this season. She lead the SWAC in home runs with 12. She had an overall batting average of .390. In addition to her home runs, Robertson took full advantage of her 154 at-bats. She was third in the SWAC in hits and RBIs with 60 and 45 respectively. She had 17 doubles and three triples. Robertson had 119 total bases and a slugging percentage of .773. On defense, she had a fielding percentage of .911, grabbing 80 putouts and 43 assists. During the season, Robertson earned SWAC Player of the Week honors. She also earn a spot on the College Sports Madness All-SWAC Second Team.
Though TSU had the most on the superlative list, overall, JSU had the highest number of players on the All-SWAC teams with eight (8). The Lady Tigers had three on the first team and five on the second team, including Jasmine Warren who captured top votes in two different positions. TSU had five, all on the first team, while MVSU had four players on the All-SWAC teams, two on the first and two second team. Alabama A&M had one player on the All-SWAC first team, while Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Alcorn State, Prairie View and Alabama State each had one player on the second team.
Here is the complete list of All-SWAC honorees.
Newcomer of the Year – Thomasina Garza, (Texas Southern)
Freshman of the Year – Canessa Swanson (Jackson State)
Hitter of the Year – Alexandria Robertson (Mississippi Valley State)
Pitcher of the Year – Rebecca Villereal (Texas Southern)
Player of the Year – Thomasina Garza (Texas Southern)
Coach of the Year – Worley Barker (Texas Southern)
First Team
Pitcher – Rebecca Villarreal (Texas Southern)
Pitcher – Breea Jamerson (Jackson State)
Pitcher – Alicia Lorenz (Mississippi Valley State)
Catcher – Nicole Burr (Mississippi Valley State)
First Base – Brianna Parker (Texas Southern)
Second Base – Thomasina Garza (Texas Southern)
Shortstop – Princess Daniels (Texas Southern)
Third Base – Jasmine Riley (Alabama A&M)
Outfield – Jessica Haynes (Texas Southern)
Outfield – Tayler Nave (Jackson State)
Outfield – Jasmine Warren (Jackson State)
Second Team
Pitcher – Jasmine Warren – Jackson State
Pitcher – Lacie Sutterfield – Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Pitcher – Deanna Rancillio – Alcorn State
Catcher – Alisa Navarro – Prairie View
First Base – Felicia Wilson – Jackson State
Second Base – Canessa Swanson – Jackson State
Shortstop – Alexandria Robertson – Mississippi Valley State
Third Base – Sabeana Romero – Jackson State
Outfield – Lauren Aikens – Jackson State
Outfield – Yasmin Battle – Mississippi Valley State
Outfield – Meagan Dixon – Alabama State
Courtesy: SWAC.org
