Tampa Places Four On All-SSC Softball Team

ORLANDO, Fla. - On the heels of another NCAA tournament appearance, The No. 12 University of Tampa softball team had four individuals on the all-Sunshine State Conference team, as announced Tuesday by SSC commissioner Jay Jones.

Pitcher Deanna Henriott and third baseman Susan Jallo each earned first team laurels as catcher Becky Vyzas and second baseman Brittany Joseph earned a spot on the second team.

Rollins College claimed all four major awards as Christine Roser was named Player of the Year while Hope Bitzer was Pitcher of the Year, Veronica Alred was Freshman of the Year, and Michelle Frew was recognized as Coach of the Year.

Named to the all-SSC first team was Roser (catcher), Bitzer (pitcher) 1B Jessica Tabor (Barry), 2B Krista Rodden (Rollins), 3B Jallo, SS Amber Pederson (Rollins), OF Grace Collins (Barry), OF Alyssa Goldsmith (Barry), OF Monica Meadows (Rollins), DP Gina Bondarenko (Nova Southeastern), UT Laura Saladrigas (Nova Southeastern), P Henriott and at-large selections Randi Grimes (Florida Southern) and Brittany Martin (Florida Southern).

Receiving all-SSC second team recognition with Alred (utility) were 1B Jessica Moreland (Rollins), 2B Joseph, 3B Sarah Broeseker (Barry), SS Natalia Ojeda (Barry), OF Dani Blake (Florida Southern), OF Brittany Gross (Lynn), OF Katrina Lavadan (Lynn), C Vyzas, P Kirsten Frame (Rollins), P Brianna Smith (Barry) and at-large selection Brianna Barth (Florida Tech).

Nova Southeastern OF Katie Kelton received honorable mention.

Henriott concluded the regular season as the SSC leader in wins (24), saves (3) and strikeouts (264) while ranking second in innings pitched (184.1) and third in ERA (0.65). The junior from St. Petersburg, Fla., also made 32 appearances, most of any award-winning pitcher. This marked Henriott's third all-SSC selection and second as a first-team choice.

Jallo, a junior from Dunedin, Fla., hit .321 with three home runs and 26 RBI. She also swiped a team-high 21 bases while only being caught one time. In 45 games, she also accumulated team-highs of 38 runs, four triples and 10 sacrifice hits.

Vyzas, a junior catcher from Tampa, Fla., led the Spartans in hitting with a .362 clip. She also set a school-record with nine home runs and led all Spartans with 34 RBI. Her 13 doubles also led head coach Leslie Kanter's squad. Vyzas has now represented Tampa on two straight all-SSC teams.

Joseph, a senior from Laurel, Del., made the most in her first year in Tampa after transferring from Florida State University. She hit .287 with a home run and 17 RBI while starting all 45 games for Tampa.

Voting for the all-conference team was conducted among the league's softball coaches and sports information directors.

2011 ALL-SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE SOFTBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
1B - Jessica Tabor (Barry, Jr)
2B - Krista Rodden (Rollins, Jr)
3B - Susan Jallo (Tampa, Jr)
SS - Amber Pederson (Rollins, Sr)
OF - Grace Collins (Barry, Jr)
OF - Alyssa Goldsmith (Barry, Jr)
OF - Monica Meadows (Rollins, Jr)
DP - Gina Bondarenko (Nova Southeastern, Fr)
UT - Laura Saladrigas (Nova Southeastern, So)
C - Christine Roser (Rollins, Sr)
P - Hope Bitzer (Rollins, Jr)
P - Deanna Henriott (Tampa, Jr)
At-Large - Randi Grimes (Florida Southern, Jr)
At-Large - Brittany Martin (Florida Southern, Jr)

Player of the Year - Christine Roser, Rollins
Pitcher of the Year - Hope Bitzer, Rollins
Freshman of the Year - Veronica Alred, Rollins
Coach of the Year - Michelle Frew, Rollins

SECOND TEAM
1B - Jessica Moreland (Rollins, Sr)
2B - Brittany Joseph (Tampa, Sr)
3B - Sarah Broeseker (Barry, So)
SS - Natalia Ojeda (Barry, So)
OF - Dani Blake (Florida Southern, Sr)
OF - Brittany Gross (Lynn, Sr)
OF - Katrina Lavadan (Lynn, Sr)
UT - Veronica Alred (Rollins, Fr)
C - Becky Vyzas (Tampa, Jr)
P - Kirsten Frame (Rollins, So)
P - Brianna Smith (Barry, Jr)
At-Large - Brianna Barth (Florida Tech, Jr)

HONORABLE MENTION
OF - Katie Kelton (Nova Southeastern, Jr)