Colorado State University Athletics
CSU's Stem, Eubanks garner all-MWC honors
5/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 11, 2009
By Danny Mattie
Athletic Media Relations
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Sophomore shortstop Caitlan Stem and freshman pitcher Kelli Eubanks have been selected to the 2009 all-Mountain West Conference softball team. The league office announced the 20-player roster Monday.
The accolades mark the first-career all-conference honors for Stem and Eubanks, who led CSU to a third-place tie in the league standings and an overall record of 26-25 (7-8 MWC), the program’s seventh consecutive .500-or-better finish under Head Coach Mary Yori.
Stem, the only Rams player to start all 51 games, led CSU in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.372), slugging percentage (.576), on-base percentage (.440), runs scored (44), hits (64), triples (3), home runs (6) and walks (19), also ranking in the top 10 in the MWC in each category. Defensively, Stem also proved to be one of the league’s best, posting a .911 fielding percentage, and ranking second in the MWC with 121 assists from her shortstop position.
Eubanks anchored the Rams’ pitching rotation, leading the staff in victories (10), innings pitched (167.2), strikeouts (131) and opponent batting average (.270). In league games, Eubanks led the MWC with 61.0 innings pitched and ranked second with 54 strikeouts.
Coaches select most outstanding performers
Stem also took home the distinction of earning the “Stalwart Award” selected by the Rams’ coaching staff, as the team’s most valuable player for the 2008-09 season. Stem was also selected as the “Best Offensive Player.”
Freshman first baseman Christine Thomsen, who ranked seventh in the MWC with a .994 fielding percentage after committing just two errors in 343 chances, was named as the team’s “Best Defensive Player.”
Senior Shannon Causgrove, who played 41 games, including 27 starts, and hit .289 with six doubles, a triple, two home runs and 18 RBIs, was given the “Green and Gold” spirit award.
Freshman outfielder Jenna Krogh, who hit a team-best .431 in MWC play, was named the team's "Most Improved Player." Krogh closed the season especially strong for the Rams, hitting safely in 17 of CSU's final 18 contests.