Also, Karson Klauer earns academic honors; Nick Huston named
pitcher of the week; and Lizzy Gatto earns first team selection at
Canisius College
HOLLISTER
J.C. Clayton knew she was in the running for the Mountain West Conference’s freshman of the year honor — a teammate had told her — but it was a call from her parents that made it official.
“I pay attention to my stats, but not any of the other freshmen (in the MWC),” Clayton said. “So when my parents called me, they told me that I got it.”
Clayton, a 2009 graduate of San Benito High School and starting shortstop for the BYU softball team, was named Freshmen of the Year in the MWC on Monday and earned a first team all-conference selection as well after she posted impressive numbers in her rookie season at the Provo, Utah, school.
A true freshman, Clayton led all first-year players in batting average (.446), on-base percentage (.467), runs scored (19), hits (25), triples (two) and total bases (32) during a 15-game conference schedule, according to the school’s website.
Among all players in the MWC, though, Clayton was first in triples, second in runs scored and hits, fifth in batting average, sixth in total bases and ninth in on-base percentage.
Admittedly tough on herself, Clayton said earning the freshmen honors will only make her work a little harder in the years to come.
“It just proves that I have to work harder next year because they’ll know who I am,” she said.
Meanwhile, BYU manager Gordon Eakin was named Coach of the Year, while senior Angeline Quiocho was named MWC Player of the Year.
Clayton and the Cougars softball team are currently in Austin, Texas, to compete in their sixth straight NCAA regional tournament, which kicks off on Thursday.
BYU will open the double-elimination tournament against East Carolina, while Texas and Iona will square off in the other contest. The winner of the four-team regional will advance to the Super Regional on May 28-29.
Klauer earns academic honors
San Jose State University senior and former Haybaler Karson Klauer was recently named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA)/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VIII first team for the third time, according to the school’s website.
Klauer, a 2006 graduate of San Benito High and starting second baseman at SJSU, was among 11 players selected to the first team in the University Division of District VIII, which consists of NCAA Division I programs in California, Hawaii, Arizona, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
Majoring in business administration with a concentration in management, Klauer boasts a 3.91 GPA, which was the second highest among those selected.
Klauer now moves on to the Academic All-America ballot. He is a three-time Academic All-Conference selection in the Western Athletic Conference, a three-time SJSU Scholar-Athlete, and has posted the highest cumulative GPA of any Spartan male student-athlete for each of the past three academic years, according to the school’s website.
Klauer is currently second on the team with a .322 (66 of 205) batting average.
San Jose State, meanwhile, is 8-12 in the WAC, 20-32 overall.
Huston named pitcher of the week
The Great Plains Athletic Conference named junior hurler Nick Huston Pitcher of the Week for March 8-14 after the Hollister resident struck out six and walked three in a two-hit shutout against Calumet College of St. Joseph.
Huston, a graduate of Palma in Salinas, pitches for Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota, where he went 4-5 this season with a 6.98 ERA.
The Lancers recently wrapped up their regular season when they went 20-4 en route to the GPAC title. Mount Marty is currently competing in the NAIA Baseball National Championship.
Gatto earns first team selection
Former Lady Baler and Canisius College sophomore Lizzy Gatto was named first team all-conference in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference last week, according to the school’s website.
It is the first time Gatto has been honored with an all-MAAC selection.
A 2008 graduate of San Benito High School, Gatto batted .354 with nine doubles, two triples, four home runs, 36 runs scored, 24 RBI and 17 stolen bases this season at Canisius, which is located in Buffalo, N.Y. She was named to the MAAC All-Tournament team earlier this season.
The Griffins’ season recently ended after they were upset in the MAAC Softball Championship by Iona, which advanced to the NCAA regional tournament as a result. Gatto knocked in the only run of the game for the Grffins, who lost 4-1.
Canisius finished its season with a 34-19 record.
