University of Massachusets Athletics
Three Softball Players Named ECAC Division I All-Stars
June 05, 2002 | Softball
June 5, 2002
Amherst, Mass. - Three softball players were named to the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division I All-Star team. Senior second baseman Ashley Bakken (Phoenix, Ariz.) and junior pitcher Kaila Holtz (North Vancouver, British Columbia) were both named to the first team, while senior third baseman Scooter Wheeler (Kingsburg, Calif.) was a honorable mention pick.
Bakken maintained a .338 batting average with five doubles, two triples and 16 runs batted in. She lead the team with 16 stolen bases and ranks second on the school's all-time list with 88 career stolen bases. Bakken was an Atlantic 10 All-Conference selection as she led the team with a .455 batting average in league games and was a perfect 11-for-11 in stolen base attempts. She was a second team Northeast All-Region honoree and a second team Verizon Academic All-District I pick.
Holtz went 23-7 on the season, earning herself A-10 Pitcher of the Year honors. She maintained a 0.90 ERA as she allowed just 131 hits and 40 runs in 210.2 innings of work. Holtz led the team with 13 shutouts and 175 strikeouts. She was also named A-10 All-Conference designated player with a .328 batting average in league play, including four doubles, a home run and 15 runs batted in. Holtz was named the MVP of the A-10 Championship Tournament, was a second team Northeast All-Region selection and was a first team Verizon Academic All-District I honoree.
Wheeler hit .279 with eight doubles and a school record-tying nine home runs. She ranked second on the team with 38 runs batted in and a .475 slugging percentage. Wheeler was an A-10 All-Conference selection as she hit .415 in league play with six home runs. She was also a member of the A-10 All-Tournament team. Wheeler is the all-time school leader with 26 career home runs and 148 career runs batted in.
UMass concluded the season with a school record 53 victories and 13 losses, including a 33 game win streak. The Minutewomen captured their eighth consecutive Atlantic 10 Championship crown and made their 12th appearance to the NCAA Regional Tournament.
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