Humphreys Named to USA Softball Top 50 Watch List

Jan. 23, 2007

LAWRENCE, Kan. –

University of Kansas senior pitcher Kassie Humphreys (Glendale, Ariz.) has been named to the USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award Top 50 Watch List by the by the Amateur Softball Association.

This award, which is considered one of the most prestigious honors in women’s collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country. Past winners of this award include UCLA’s Stacey Nuveman, Florida State’s Jessica Van der Linden and three-time winner, Texas pitcher Cat Osterman.

Humphreys was the Jayhawks’ leader in the circle in 2006. An All-Big 12 Conference First Team and NFCA All-Region selection, Humphreys complied a 19-17 record, held hitters to a .156 batting average and posted a 1.19 ERA (both ranked second in the Big 12) and 262 strikeouts through 234.2 innings as a junior. She helped Kansas to its first-ever Big 12 postseason championship and second consecutive NCAA Regional bid in 2006.

The 2007 Pre-Season Watch List is comprised of 50 players representing 33 schools and 11 different NCAA Division I Conferences. For a complete list of the players with photos and links to their collegiate bios, click here.

The ASA will announce the 25 finalists on April 4. A player does not have to appear on the initial watch list to be considered as a Top 25 finalist, but once the Top 25 is named the remaining finalist must be selected from that list.

Just days before the start of post-season play, a list of 10 finalists will be named and released on May 9. The final three finalists will be announced May 23 while the winner of the 2006 USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award will be announced prior to the start of the 2007 NCAA Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City.

-KU-