May 16, 2006

Seattle, Wash. - Seniors Jessica Clee and Jenny Brown were honored by the Pacific Coast Softball Conference, as the duo was named to the All-PCSC First Team the conference announced earlier today. In addition, senior Shannon Linerud and sophomore Angela Kabanuck were also recognized by the league, picking up All-PCSC Second Team accolades. This is the third straight year the conference has honored Clee, Brown, and Linerud.

Portland State picked up the conference's top two awards, with Mandy Hill and Amy Hayes winning Pitcher of the Year and Coach of the Year, respectively. Loyola Marymount's Hillaree Bennett was tabbed the Freshman of the Year, while Sacramento State's Lindy Winkler was voted the Player of the Year.

This season, Clee led the team in numerous hitting categories, including batting average (.393), hits (72), runs (39), RBIs (40), doubles (13), triples (3), home runs (11), and slugging percentage (.678). Her stellar numbers were also among the top of the conference. Clee, a leftfielder who started all 58 games in 2006, ends her collegiate career as one of Santa Clara's most feared hitters, topping the all-time lists for RBIs (126), home runs (30), and slugging percentage (.548), while coming in second in both doubles (35) and triples (8). Earlier this season, the Milbrae, Calif. native earned two PCSC Player of the Week honors. Last season, Clee was picked to the All-PCSC Second Team, while she was voted to the First Team in 2004.

Brown earned a spot on the conference First Team thanks to excellent play at both catcher and second base. She started in 54 contests, providing Santa Clara with a reliable option on the offensive end. She accumulated 54 hits, 37 runs, 27 RBIs, 10 doubles, three home runs and one triple during her senior-year campaign, while batting .325 on the year. She ends her career as a Bronco on a number of all-time program lists, placing first in walks (94) and doubles (46), second in RBIs (126), and third in home runs (10). After earning All-PCSC First Team honors in 2004, Brown was voted to the Second Team in 2005.

Linerud was a mainstay at the shortstop position for head coach Steve Rianda this season, starting in 57 of 58 contests this season. She ranked third on the team in batting average (.287), runs (28), and triples (2), and fourth in hits (50), RBIs (20), doubles (9), and slugging percentage (.397). A native out of San Jose, Calif., Linerud was Santa Clara's first PCSC Player of the Week recipient of the year, earning the award on February 13. Last season, Linerud was tabbed an All-PCSC Honorable Mention last season after winning First Team honors in 2004.

Kabanuck had a breakout season for Santa Clara, as she was one of the team's top offensive threats in 2005. The product out of Petaluma, Calif. started 56 of 58 games in centerfield and showed off her skills at the plate with a .402 slugging percentage and a .284 batting average, while accumulating 55 hits, 30 RBIs, 27 runs, 12 doubles, three home runs, and one triple.

Santa Clara (24-34) ended its season on a four-game winning streak and finished third in the PCSC with a record of 11-9.

2006 Pacific Coast Softball Conference All-Conference Teams

Player of the Year -- Lindy Winkler, Sacramento State
Pitcher of the Year -- Mandy Hill, Portland State
Freshman of the Year -- Hillaree Bennett, Loyola Marymount
Coach of the Year -- Amy Hayes, Portland State

First Team
Catcher -- Jamie Schloredt, Sacramento State
First Base -- Marissa Merchain, San Diego
Second Base -- Margo Pineda, Loyola Marymount
Third Base -- Kathleen Bonja, San Diego
Shortstop -- Lacey Gorman, Portland State
Outfield -- Hillaree Bennett, Loyola Marymount
Outfield -- Jessica Clee, Santa Clara
Outfield -- Lindy Winkler, Sacramento State
Designated Player -- Nikki Cinque, Sacramento State
Utility -- Jenny Brown, Santa Clara
Pitcher -- Mandy Hill, Portland State
Pitcher -- Michelle Hext, Portland State

Second Team
Catcher -- Sara Mason, San Diego
First Base -- Tracy Cook, Loyola Marymount
Second Base -- Bronwyn Russell, Saint Mary's
Third Base -- Megan Ackerman, Loyola Marymount
Shortstop -- Shannon Linerud, Santa Clara
Outfield -- Kimi Daniel, Portland State
Outfield -- Hilary Johnson, Sacramento State
Outfield -- Angela Kabanuck, Santa Clara
Designated Player -- Stephanie Bean, Portland State
Utility -- Brittany Bassett, Loyola Marymount
Pitcher -- Cassie Cervantes, Sacramento State
Pitcher -- Gina McFarland, San Diego