Date Posted: 4/10/2008

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Amateur Softball Association, the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, announced today the 25 finalists for the 2008 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award. Senior Carmen Paez became the first Eagle to be named a finalist for the national honor.

"We cannot be any prouder of Carmen for her accomplishments," said head coach Dave Deiros. “She’s an integral part of our success. She has been especially effective in our transition to Division I. It’s is a great honor for us to have Carmen named to the short list of ‘Who’s Who’ in college softball.”

The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year 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.

Paez, the 2007 AFCA Division II Softball Player of the Year, has proven to be a leader for the Eagles as she has helped lead FGCU to a 43-11 overall record (11-1 A-Sun). She has earned Atlantic Sun Player of the Week honors three times this season and has been featured in Sports Illustrated. As of the NCAA's statistical release on Tuesday, April 8, Paez leads the nation in five categories: home runs (22), RBI (65), slugging percentage (1.000), walks (64), and runs scored (66). Her batting average of .425 ranks 27th in the nation and she owns the second highest on-base percentage (.621). Paez also leads the A-Sun in total bases (134).

“It is a great honor to be one of the 25 finalists for the 2008 Player of the year award, especially in our first Division I season,” said senior left fielder Carmen Paez. “There are a number of great players on the list and I feel fortunate be among them. I would like to thank my coaches and teammates for their support because I could not earn this recognition alone.”

Related Links:
 • Full Article at FGCUAthletics.com
 • ASA Softball