May 7, 2008

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Junior Tammy Williams (Roscoe, Mo./Osceola) has been named one of 10 finalists for the 2008 USA Softball Player of the Year award, announced today by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA).

Williams -- a top-25 finalist last year -- is the first Wildcat to make the list of 10 for the seventh-annual award. She leads the nation with a .482 batting average while ranking fourth in on-base percentage, 16th in slugging percentage and 17th in runs scored per game.

The list is comprised of four pitchers and three other pitcher/utility players, making Williams one of just three field players left in the running for the honor, considered the most prestigious in collegiate softball.

On May 21 the list will be cut to three and those final three players will travel to Oklahoma City for the announcement of the winner of the Seventh Annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award. The announcement will take place during the 'WCWS Party at the Park' on Tuesday, May 27 at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.

A replica of the award will be placed in a permanent display in the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, along with photos of the winner. An additional replica of the award will be presented to the player's academic institution during an athletic event in the fall.

For the complete USA Softball release on the top-10 finalist list, link to USAsoftball.com.