Arizona softball catcher Callista Balko and the other end of the Wildcat battery, pitcher Taryne Mowatt, were both named to the seventh annual USA Softball National Player of the Year Award preseaon “”watch list,”” the ASA announced Wednesday.
“”It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the potential impact players in the country,”” Balko said in a press release. “”But at the same time I think both Taryne and I realize that the work needs to be done on the field. Our whole team is working hard in practice and can’t wait to get out there to start the season in a few weeks.””
Balko was a National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association first-team All-Pacific Region selection last season. She threw out 31 percent of potential base stealers and allowed just 37 bags to be swiped – the second lowest in the Pacific 10 Conference.
Balko was good on the offensive end, too, swatting 10 home runs with 32 RBI.
This is Mowatt’s second selection to the preseason “”watch list.”” The Wildcat ace was named the Most Outstanding Player in June’s Women’s College World Series after she set the WCWS records for innings pitched (60), wins (six), complete games (eight) and strikeouts (76).
Mowatt set single-season school and Pac-10 records for victories (42), innings pitched (370) and strikeouts (522) en route to the Wildcats’ second consecutive national championship, and eighth overall.
The “”watch list”” is comprised of 50 players from 34 schools and 14 conferences, with 25 of the nominees playing for Wildcat opponents this season.
-Arizona Daily Wildcat
