Softball Announces 2009 Team Awards

Sheffler, Waldron, Zilka, Diaz and Carcone all earn honors

BUFFALO, NY- The University at Buffalo softball team announced its team awards for the 2009 season last week. Head coach Jennifer Teague made the following presentations: Kristin Waldron and Erin Zilka were selected as the Most Valuable Offensive and Defensive players, respectively; Jamie Sheffler was selected as the Most Improved; Terese Diaz was selected as the Ace in the Circle and the True Blue Award went to Dominique Carcone.

Erin Zilka

The Most Valuable Player Award is given to the student-athlete who makes the most significant contribution to the accomplishments of the team through her skills and leadership. Freshman Kristin Waldron led the Bulls offensively with 47 hits, 28 RBIs and a .303 batting average. Erin Zilka was a standout short stop, starting 48 games for the Bulls, while knocking in 33 hits and three home runs from the plate.

The Most Improved Player Award is presented to the student-athlete who has made the greatest stride or improvement in her performance from the previous season or from the beginning of the season to the end of the season. Jamie Sheffler had eight RBIs on the season, compared to one in the 2008 season, and also hit the second home run of her career against MAC rival Ball State.

The Ace in the Circle Award is presented to the team’s most outstanding pitcher. Freshman Terese Diaz was presented the award after a breakout rookie season. Diaz earned 14 wins on the mound, striking out 205 batters on the season. The 205 strikeouts puts Diaz just out of third place on UB’s all-time career strikeouts list.

Terese Diaz

The True Blue Award is presented by the coaches to the student-athlelte who gives 110% every day on the field and shows outstanding commitment to the team, on and off the field. Freshman Dominique Carcone was presented with this year’s award. Carcone continually shows passion and determination for the team and does whatever she needs to do for the good of the team. Carcone started in 42 games for UB, mostly at third base. Carcone also knocked six hits and earned seven runs throughout the season.

The Bulls finished the 2009 season with a record of 25-27 (7-15 MAC), which tied the most wins in a single season in UB’s Division I softball era.