May 20, 1998

TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona State softball team announced its 1998 team award winners with senior pitcher Roxanne Tsosie earning Most Valuable Player honors.

Tsosie, the co-MVP last year, posted a team-best 24-11 record with a 1.32 earned-run average. Tsosie became ASU's first 20-game winner since Donna Stewart accomplished the feat in 1987. Her 24 wins also tied Stewart for most wins all-time in a single-season at ASU. Tsosie, a first-team All-Pac-10 selection and two-time Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week this year, ends a stellar four year career at ASU second all-time in wins (62) and strikeouts (431).

Pitcher of the Year honors went to senior Carrie Breedlove, who led the team in strikeouts (166), shutouts (10) and no-hitters (2). In February, Breedlove was named the USA Today/NFCA National Player of the Week and was a two-time Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week. Breedlove leaves ASU fourth all-time in wins (50) and strikeouts (365).

Senior Raja Woods and sophomore Chris Gill earned co-Offensive Player of the Year honors. Woods led the team in runs (33) and stolen bases (21), and finished second in batting average (.302) and home runs (2). She ends her career sixth all-time in batting average with a .332 and third all-time in stolen bases with 47. Gill led the team in home runs (6), doubles (7) and RBIs (42), and was third in batting average with a .301. Gill's 42 RBIs set a new ASU single-season record and her six home runs ties her for third all-time in a single-season.

The Defensive Player of the Year award went to freshman Jennifer Langenhuixen, who posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. An outfielder, Langenhuizen made 49 putouts and had five assists while committing no errors.

Devyn Braga garnered Freshman of the Year honors, posting a .258 batting average and tying the team-high in triples with three. Braga scored 27 times, hit four doubles and had one home run.

Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors went to Holly Smith and Melissa Miller. Smith, a double major in communication and justice studies, posted a 3.48 overall grade-point average, while playing in a team-high 64 games. Additionally, Smith was selected to the GTE/CoSIDA District VIII first-team All-America team. Miller, a junior, compiled a 3.67 grade-point average in marketing while playing in 41 games as a utility player. Miller had a .244 batting average and stole six bases.