UH’s Iwata makes 2nd team All-American, Ricketts named to 3rd team

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — University of Hawai‘i softball players Jessica Iwata and Stephanie Ricketts were named to the 2011 Easton All-America second and third teams, respectively, on Tuesday. It is the first All-America honors for both players, states a release from the UH athletic department.

Iwata, UH’s sophomore shortstop and two-time WAC Player of the Year, led the ‘Bows with a .355 average (60 for 169), .663 slugging percentage, and .447 on-base percentage. The Lihu‘e native and 2009 Kaua‘i High School graduate also led UH in runs scored (43), hits (60), home runs (15), and RBIs (44) and finished the season on a nine-game hitting streak. She accumulated more multiple-hit games (16) and multiple-RBI games (13) than any other Rainbow Wahine this season. Iwata was also voted to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s all-West Region second team for the second year in a row.

Ricketts, who earned back-to-back WAC Pitcher of the Year awards, posted a 22-11 record this past year as a junior and had her best statistical season as a Rainbow Wahine with career-bests in ERA (1.58), complete games (30), shutouts (9), and strikeouts (250), while holding opponents to a .193 batting average.

In 2011, the junior from San Jose, Calif. and Archbishop Mitty High School broke former UH All-American Brooke Wilkins’ 16-year-old career strikeout record with 589. She also became just the second Rainbow Wahine to win at least 20 games in three consecutive seasons.

For her career, Ricketts is now ranked second in the UH record books with 74 wins; third in appearances (127) and games started (107); fourth in innings pitched (712.1) and fifth in shutouts (23). Ricketts also earned All-West Region honors for the third time in as many seasons.

The last Hawai‘i players to earn Easton All-American honors were Kate Robinson, Clare Warwick and Tyleen Tausaga in 2007. Iwata and Ricketts became just the 12th and 13th Rainbow Wahine, respectively, to earn the honor. Easton did not give out All-America honors in 2010.

Athletes selected to the Easton All-American teams are those who have had an outstanding season, and who have been stalwarts for their Easton sponsored team.

2011 Easton NCAA Division I All-American — First Team

Kayla Braud, University of Alabama, Sophomore

Kelsey Bruder, University of Florida, Senior

Megan Bush, University of Florida, Senior

Kelsi Dunne, University of Alabama, Senior

Andrea Harrison, UCLA, Junior

Jolene Henderson, University of California, Berkeley, Sophomore

Whitney Larsen, University of Alabama, Senior

Blaire Luna, University of Texas, Sophomore

Hannah Rogers, University of Florida, Freshman

Brittany Schutte, University of Florida, Sophomore

Jackie Traina, University of Alabama, Freshman

Kelsi Weseman, Georgia Tech, Junior

2011 Easton NCAA Division I All-American — Second Team

Paige Affleck, Brigham Young University, Senior

Allison Garcia, Bethune-Cookman University, Senior

Amy Hooks, University of Texas, Senior

Jessica Iwata, University of Hawai’i, Sophomore

Michelle Moultrie, University of Florida, Junior

Kara Nelson, Illinois State University, Senior

Aja Paculba, University of Florida, Senior

Jessica Phillips, Binghamton University, Sophomore

Sara Plourde, University of Massachusetts, Junior

Jamia Reid, University of California, Berkeley, Junior

April Setterlund, Boston Univerity, Senior

Megan Yocke, University of Kentucky, Senior

2011 Easton NCAA Division I All-American — Third Team

Meagan Aull, Univerity of Kentucky, Senior

Melanie Bryant, University of Central Arkansas, Sophomore

Bailey Mietich, San Diego State University, Junior

Michelle Moses, Fresno State University, Junior

Courtney Platt, Florida Gulf Coast University, Senior

Jessica Purcell-Fitu, Brigham Young University, Senior

Ashley Ray, Nicholls State University, Junior

Stephanie Ricketts, University of Hawai’i, Junior

Kelly Strickland, Liberty University, Junior

Andie Varsho, Purdue University, Freshman

Jace Williams, University of California, Berkeley, Junior