UCLA softball player Natasha Watley capped off a remarkable four-year career yesterday when she won the 27th Honda-Broderick Cup as the Women’s College Player of The Year.
“Words cannot describe how gracious and honored I am to receive this award,” Watley said following yesterday’s ceremony held at Columbia University. “To be associated with past winners such as Jackie Joyner-Kersey and [former UCLA softball great] Lisa Fernandez means so much to me.”
With the career Watley had, it’s probable that future winners will look at her in the same manner she views the great women athletes she mentioned.
The shortstop was named first-team All-American, All-Pacific Region and All-Pac-10 all four seasons. Her overall collegiate totals are stunning: 395 hits, 158 stolen bases and a career .450 average. Included in those numbers is a senior year that would have made Ichiro jealous. She batted a mind-boggling .481 in the regular season, earning Pac-10 Player of The Year honors. Then she tore through the College World Series and led the Bruins to a national championship, batting .440.
“It’s been a great season and winning the national title was the icing on the cake,” Watley said.
Watley beat out such outstanding athletes as Connecticut’s Diana Taurasi, who led the Huskies to a basketball championship, Rachael Becker of Princeton (lacrosse), Natalie Coughlin of the University of California (swimming) and Logan Tom of Stanford (volleyball).
*
Division II Player of The Year honors went to soccer star Missy Gregg of Christian Brothers University in Memphis, while softball standout Libby Hysell of Central College in Pella, Iowa, was acknowledged for her efforts in Division III.