Courtney and VanBrakle Named NFCA All-Americans
6/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
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The National Fastpitch Coaches Association has announced that Alabama senior Ashley Courtney and junior Stephanie VanBrakle have both been named NFCA All-Americans.
Courtney was named a second-team All-America catcher while VanBrakle was a second-team at-large pitcher.
“I’m extremely proud of both Ashley and Steph,” said Alabama head coach Patrick Murphy. “They’ve both put in extremely long hours and their dedication and efforts have paid off in these honors as well as leading our team back to the World Series.”
Courtney is making her second appearance as an NFCA All-America. She was named to the team her freshman year in 2002. Courtney currently leads the Crimson Tide in average, runs, hits, doubles, triples, RBI and stolen bases.
VanBrakle is making her first appearance as an All-American. She has had a career year so far, becoming the second pitcher in Alabama history to record 30 wins and 300 strikeouts in a season. She broke the school record for strikeouts in a season with 317.
VanBrakle becomes the eighth player in the program’s history to garner All-America honors and the Tide has now received 16 NFCA All-America honors.
Eighth ranked Alabama opens its 2005 Women’s College World Series tonight against the fourth ranked Texas Longhorns. First pitch is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. with the game being televised live on ESPN2.
