OKLAHOMA CITY — With less than 10 days until the start of the Titans' 2015 softball season, reigning Big West Player of the Year and Cal State Fullerton junior Missy Taukeiaho was one of 50 student-athletes from across the country to be selected on the "Watch List" for the 2015 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award, the Amateur Softball Association (ASA) of America and USA Softball announced Wednesday.
The pre-season "Watch List" includes 26 seniors, 18 juniors and six sophomores, with freshman ineligible for consideration. Athletes named to the "Watch List" represent 32 NCAA Division I universities and 13 athletic conferences. Taukeiaho is the only softball student-athlete to represent the Big West Conference on this year's "Watch List" for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, considered to be the most prestigious individual honor in NCAA Division I Softball.
The Top 25 Finalists for the 2015 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be announced April 8. While an athlete does not have to be on the "Watch List" to be considered for the Top 25, the eventual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will come from the Top 25 Finalists. The Top 10 Finalists will be announced May 6 and the Top 3 announced May 20. The 2015 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year will be revealed May 26.
Taukeiaho capped off a stellar season with her selection as a 2014 NFCA Division I Third Team All-American while being the 21st Titan to claim All-American honors since the program joined the Big West in 1986, and the first since Kiki Munoz captured second team honors in 2008.
The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., native was a menace to opposing pitchers from the leadoff spot as she hammered a conference-leading 19 home runs. The performance placed her at No. 2 in Big West single-season history, trailing only former CSF slugger Stephenie Little, who owns the record with 23 round trippers in 1999. The third baseman also set a Big West single-season record with 62 runs scored, and landed at No. 6 in RBI (51) and No. 9 in average (.429). A transfer from the University of Washington, she produced 21 multi-hit games and 12 multi-RBI games.
Previous recipients of the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award are UCLA catcher Stacey Nuveman (2002), Texas pitcher Cat Osterman (2003, 2005 and 2006), Florida State pitcher Jessica Van der Linden (2004), Tennessee pitcher Monica Abbott (2007), Virginia Tech pitcher Angela Tincher (2008), Washington pitcher Danielle Lawrie (2009 and 2010), Stanford shortstop Ashley Hansen (2011), Oklahoma's Keilani Ricketts (2012 and 2013) and Florida State's Lacey Waldrop (2014).
Cal State Fullerton opens its season on Friday, Feb. 6 hosting the So Cal Collegiate Tournament at Anderson Family Field and will face Purdue at 4 p.m. before welcoming Idaho State at 6 p.m. in day one of the three-day event.
Cal State Fullerton softball tickets are now on sale for the 2015 campaign. Three types of items will be available, single game tickets, tournament packages or, the best deal, the season ticket that includes all regular-season tournaments along with individual games.
For details about all three ticket types, fans may click here. Tickets can be purchased online, in person at the Cal State Fullerton Athletics Office or by calling (657) 278-CSUF (2783) from the hours of 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Complete Information on tickets can be found here.
Always keep in mind that there are special opportunities for groups and promotional activities at Anderson Family Field (softball) and at Goodwin Field (baseball).
Bringing a group to take the field with the Titans? Participating in a pregame ceremony? Want a name put on a video board as a birthday wish? Check out the Group/Promotional Activity page. Plan ahead and make your reservations with Becca Dobbs at bdobbs@fullerton.edu or (657) 278-3842.
Fans can keep up with the latest in Cal State Fullerton athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/FullertonTitans), Twitter (@FullertonTitans), Instagram (FullertonTitans) and YouTube.com (Youtube.com/CSFAthletics). In addition, the softball team has established its own official Facebook (Facebook.com/csufsoftball), Twitter (@CSUFSoftball), and Instagram (csufsoftball) accounts.
