Softball Hands Out 2003 Team Honors
May 07, 2003 | Softball
The Wisconsin softball team dished out its year-end team awards Monday night at its annual banquet. The Badgers (19-26 overall, 7-12 Big Ten) finished the 2003 season winning five of their last seven games, including a 12-inning finale over Minnesota.
The Badgers upset ranked-foes No. 15 Fresno State, No. 23 Oregon State and No. 16 Ohio State this year and took second place at the Hawaii Invite. The Badgers combined to hit 23 home runs this season, breaking the old team record of 21 set in 1999.
Most Inspirational Player: Anastasia Miller
Coach Karen Gallagher nixed the MVP award this year, stating that the honor could have gone to several people who stepped up at different times throughout the course of the year. Instead, Gallagher awarded Anastasia Miller the teams' Most Inspirational Player award for support of her teammates and providing an incredible lift during the last two weeks of the season.
A sophomore walk-on who pinch ran in just six games last year, Miller earned a starting role in grand fashion this season. In her first plate appearance as a Badger, Miller drew a walk versus Northwestern. In her second plate appearance, Miller blasted a home run versus No. 23 Illinois. Miller started the last six games of the season, tallying five hits in her six starts. Against Ohio State, Miller hit her second home run and recorded three RBIs. She notched her third home run against UW-Green Bay.
And finally, Miller provided the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 12th inning against Minnesota to end the year with a win. In total, Miller drove in eight RBIs, sent three balls out of the park and scored eight runs in just 21 at-bats. She finished with a .762 slugging percentage.
Most Improved Player and Academic Achievement Award: Natalie Phillips
Another sophomore who worked her way into the starting lineup this year was honored with the Most Improved Award. Natalie Phillips, who played in just five games and started three last year, played in 31 and started 25 in 2003. Playing mainly in right field, Phillips tallied 11 hits, three RBIs and scored six runs in 74 at-bats. She went 2-for-4 with two runs and one RBI versus Indiana and was a perfect 2-for-2 against Michigan State. She recorded a multi-RBI game against UNC-Greensboro, her first start of the season, with a two-run single.
Phillips was also the team's top performer in the classroom, earning the team's highest GPA. For her efforts, Phillips won the Academic Achievement Award. Phillips is majoring in political science and history and intends to become a secondary education teacher.
Badger Pride Award: Boo Gillette
Sophomore captain Boo Gillette earned her second-straight Badger Pride Award. Gallagher explained Gillette always encourages the team and lifts the spirit of others. And if you've ever been to a Badger practice and if you only hear one voice all day, it's probably Gillette's. The sophomore catcher is always talking, helping, encouraging, instructing and more. At the plate, Gillette led the Badgers with a .296 batting average, 37 hits and three triples. She ranked second on the team with 18 RBIs and four home runs. Gillette also recorded a team-high five game hitting streak this season.
Coaches' Award: Diana Consolmagno
Another team motivator and winner of the Coaches' Award was junior Diana Consolmagno. Gallagher described Consolmagno as someone who always gives 100 percent in practice and games, plays through injuries and inspires. Consolmagno, who started 39 games this year in left field, tallied personal season bests with three doubles and two home runs. Her best game at the plate this season came against Ohio State in game two of a double header. Consolmagno went 2-for-4 with two runs, three RBIs and one home run. Defensively, Consolmagno made several diving grabs in the field and recorded a .976 fielding percentage.
Offensive Player of the Year: Erin Barnharst
Senoir Erin Barnharst, a second-year transfer from UW-Green Bay, made her impact on the Big Ten this year, leading the Badgers with five home runs and was twice named the Big Ten co-Player of the Week. She ranked second on the team with a .269 batting average and tied for second with four doubles. Third on the team with 16 RBIs, Barnharst tied for third with 15 runs scored. Barnharst earned her first weekly conference award after a hitting three three-run home runs in three games at the Triangle Classic. She was the first Badger player other than Andrea Kirchberg to win the league's weekly honor since Ashley Fauser won in 1999. Barnharst was the only Badger to tally four hits in one game this season and led the team with three three-RBI games. She finished the season strong, hitting .436 in the Badgers' final 13 games.
Defensive Player of the Year: Mandy Liles
Senior Mandy Liles, who played the majority of her 43 games at right field, also covered center field and third base. Liles recorded a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage as the only regular starter with no errors. She also tallied 24 assists and 36 putouts. At the plate, Liles hit two doubles, two triples and had five RBIs. Liles transferred to UW from UW-Parkside last season and was named UW's Most Improved Player in 2002.
Freshman of the Year: Emily Friedman
Emily Friedman, who started all 45 games at second base, was named the Badgers' Freshman of the Year. One of four Badgers to play all 45 games, Friedman finished tied for third on the team with 15 runs scored. She tallied her first hit as a Badger in her second at-bat wearing the Cardinal and White. Friedman was one of five Badgers to record three RBIs in a single game this season, notching three versus Northwestern. The next day, she tallied two RBIs versus Illinois, including her first home run. Friedman was solid defensively for the Badgers, recording a team-high 71 assists.
