When the 2005 softball season kicks off, the Lady Tigers will have two prospects for Collegiate Player of the Year leading the team.
Third baseman Leslie Klein and outfielder Camille Harris were announced over the weekend to be among the 40 players named to the fourth annual USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year watch list.
LSU is one of three Southeastern Conference schools to have multiple players listed for the prestigious award.
Klein, who is only a sophomore, already has a few awards under her belt. Her honors include being named to the 2004 National Fastpitch Coaches Association third-team All-American team and Easton second-team All-American as a freshman. She was also named a part of the NCAA Region 3 All-Tournament teams.
Her awards complement the accomplishments she achieved last season. As a freshman, she broke the LSU single season records for home runs and total bases. Klein ended last season nationally ranked in the top 50 in RBIs, runs per game and slugging percentage.
Junior outfielder Harris is no stranger to collegiate awards either. She was named a member of the Women’s College World Series All-Tournament team and NCAA Region 3 All-Tournament team last season after ranking in the SEC’s Top 10 in triples and stolen bases.
As the season progresses, the list will be narrowed down until it reaches 10 finalists before the start of postseason play and then until three finalists remain on May 31. The Collegiate Player of the Year will not be announced until the WCWS in May.
The award was created to recognize female collegiate softball players who possess achievement in athletics and is considered the equivalent to the Heisman Trophy.
Klein and Harris are among 40 players that represent 23 colleges and 10 different conferences across the nation.