Infielder Kim Aggabao and third baseman Amy Mettee, both juniors, were selected by league head coaches to the All-California Collegiate Athletic Association First Team for softball on May 20. Senior catcher Kristin Hunstad and sophomore first baseman Jamie Hurst both earned honorable mention recognition.
Guardian file
Mettee, who is a two-time All-CCAA team member, was also selected to be a member of the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II All-West Region First Team.
“”It’s a great honor to receive, but what happens to the team is most important,”” Mettee said. “”This year was a growing year for us and everyone is really excited about our prospects for next year.””
Mettee was in the top five among the CCAA batting leaders, hitting .390 for the season. The Junior led the conference in walks per game. She led the conference in hitting during her sophomore year.
She also led nearly every offensive category for the Tritons in 2003, including batting average, runs, hits, doubles, home runs, total bases, slugging percentage, walks, on-base percentage and steals.
Defensively Mettee maintained a .939 fielding percentage on the left side of the infield
“”Amy had a frustrating year, but even though she wasn’t always on the top of her game, she was still one of the three best offensive players in the CCAA,”” said UCSD head coach Patti Gerckens. “”All I can say is thank God she is coming back next year.””
Aggabao was a defensive rock for the Tritons, and had the second-best batting average for the team while leading the team in RBIs and sacrifices. She was also selected to the All-Tournament Team at the season-opening Diamond Sports Best of the West Invitational in Modesto, Calif., on Feb. 1 and Feb. 2.
“”In all the CCAA, no one came close to her stats at shortstop,”” Gerckens said. “”Everyone on the team looks to her as a role model; she has unbelievable composure on the field.””
Hunstad, a four-year catcher, and the lone senior on the team, set career highs for herself in average, runs and RBIs this year while starting 52 games behind the plate.
“”Kristin doesn’t get a lot of recognition, but without a good catcher, it doesn’t matter how good your pitchers are — they won’t look good,”” Gerckens said. “”She will be hard to replace. She knew how to calm pitchers down and called a great game.””
Hurst was solid in the field and at the plate. She made 377 defensive putouts at first base while also finishing third in batting average on the team. She had the second-most RBIs, walks, total bases, doubles and sacrifices for the year, as well.
“”This was Jamie’s first year in the infield, and she really learned the position well and embraced it,”” Gerckens said. “”By the end of the year, she was batting in the No. 3 spot, and that’s where you want your best hitter.””
