June 2, 2000 SEATTLE - Jennifer Spediacci was named Most Valuable Player on the 2000 Washington softball team, amassing 34 wins and 316 strikeouts while leading the team to its fifth-straight College World Series appearance. The senior pitcher finished her career as the Husky record holder in more than 10 categories. Spediacci and senior Jamie Graves were named Co-Pitchers of the Year. The record-breaking tandem collectively holds all but three of the pitching records at UW. After a season of near-identical ERAs, Spediacci finished with lowest at 0.67, Graves' was 0.69. Freshman Jaime Clark and redshirt freshman Jenny Topping shared Rookie of the Year honors as the team's offensive firepower. Topping broke season records for home runs (24), RBI (90), walks (56), slugging percentage (.960) and on-base percentage (.565) while posting a .438 average. Clark was second on the team in most offensive categories, including home runs (23), hits (79), doubles (24), RBI (67), average (.362) and slugging percentage (.807). Clark also was named Most Inspirational and was the lone Husky to earn a spot on the College World Series all-tournament team. Playing right field in the Series, Clark led the team at the plate with a .429 average on 3-for-7 hitting, including a double and a home run, for a 1.000 slugging percentage. She knocked in three RBI and drew four walks in three games. Clark homered in her first-ever at-bat in the CWS. Senior Rosie Leutzinger and sophomore Becky Simpson received the Most Improved award. Leutzinger raised her batting average 46 points and turned in stellar defensive performances while sharing time at shortstop and right field with Clark. Simpson's overall game as a backup outfielder and slapper improved dramatically from her freshman campaign. Senior center fielder Erin Helgeland earned the Golden Glove award, turning in a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage while making 52 putouts and four assists. The Huskies finished the season with a program-best record of 62-9 and ranking of fifth in the nation in the USA Today/NFCA poll.
Husky Softball Team Awards |
