June 11, 2003

BLACKSBURG - Three Virginia Tech softball players were named to the 2003 Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) All-State University Division Softball Team, as released Wednesday afternoon. Catcher Megan Evans, designated player Rachel Pacheco and outfielder Kelly Brown were all named to the team for their play this past season.

Evans, a sophomore from Mansfield, Pa., set two school records this past year at the plate. She hit 11 home runs and recorded a slugging percentage of .600, both new school marks. She hit .327 for the season with 49 hits, eight doubles, 30 RBI and 19 runs scored. Last month, she was named to the NFCA First-Team All-Northeast Region as the catcher.

Brown, a freshman from Dale City, Va., was one of three outfielders selected. For the season, she hit .337, second-best on the team. She recorded 59 hits, 11 doubles, three triples and a home run while driving in 18 runs and scoring 35 and stealing 10 bases. In May, she was named to the BIG EAST All-Rookie team.

Pacheco, a junior from Half Moon Bay, Calif., earned her third honor of the postseason as a designated player. She was named to the NFCA First-Team All-Northeast Region squad and the BIG EAST second team last month. For the season, she hit .312 with 35 hits, four doubles, a triple and four home runs while driving in 19 and scoring seven runs.

George Mason's Stacy James was named the state's player of the year while UVa's Cheryl Sprangel was named the coach of the year. Tech and George Mason led the way with three selections apiece. The University of Virginia and Liberty each had two selections and James Madison had one player on the team.

2003 VaSID University Division All-State Softball Team


C - Megan Evans, Virginia Tech
1B - Kim Braxton, George Mason
2B - Sara Larquier, Virginia
SS - Stacy James, George Mason
3B - Ruby Rojas, Virginia
OF - Kelly Brown, Virginia Tech
OF - Lauren Curtis, James Madison
OF - Lauren Hahn, Liberty
P - Dianna Austin, George Mason
P - Ali Thompson, Liberty
DP - Rachel Pacheco, Virginia Tech
Player of the Year: Stacy James, George Mason
Coach of the Year: Cheryl Sprangel, Virginia