May 19, 2004

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Senior outfielder Leslie Simien, freshman second baseman Brittany Putich and junior pitcher/utility player Lindsey Herrin were each selected second team All-Big West Conference and four other Gauchos were honorable mention, it was announced today.

Simien, the Big West's all-time leader in stolen bases, enters the postseason wth a .302 batting average, a school record 60 hits, 28 runs scored and 33 stolen bases. Putich enters the postseason with a .244 batting average, five doubles, two triples, one home run and 16 RBI. Herrin, who was selected second team as both a utility player and a designated player, set a UCSB record with ten home runs this season. Additionally, Herrin is hitting .265 with 35 RBI and 22 runs scored. As a pitcher, Herrin has logged a 7-2 record and a 2.65 ERA.

In addition to the three second team selections, freshman pitcher Jennifer Davis, freshman catcher Shelby Hensler and freshman shortstop Kendra Singley were honorable mention choices.

On Thursday, UCSB will enter its first NCAA Tournament ever with a 9:00 a.m. game against Northwestern at Tucson, Arizona. The Gauchos finished the regular season with a 32-29 overall record and a 14-7 record in the Big West Conference. The 14-7 mark in league was the best in program history and it resulted in a second place finish, the highest ever.