2011 All-Big 12 Softball Individual Awards and All-Big 12 Team

The Big 12 softball regular season concluded with eight league teams receiving bids to the NCAA tournament, including league champion Missouri as the #5 overall seed. Now, it's time to honor the best of the Big 12.
Let's meet the individual award winners for the 2011 Big 12 softball season:
Big 12 player of the year is Texas senior Amy Hooks. The catcher from Mesquite, Texas hit .367 in conference and reached base in more than 45% of her at bats. She led the league in home runs and total bases while anchoring the Big 12's top-ranked offensive team.
Big 12 pitcher of the year is Missouri sophomore Chelsea Thomas. The Pleasantville, Iowa native posted the lowest ERA in the conference and struck out 166 batters in 115 and two-thirds innings. She's a finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year and ranks in the top ten nationally in strikeouts per game.
Big 12 freshman of the year goes to Texas' Taylor Thom. The Cedar Park, Texas native led the Big 12 in overall batting in conference play. She pounded out a .451 batting average, .686 slugging percentage, and ranked among league leaders in total bases, runs, on-base percentage, and stolen bases.
Big 12 co-defensive player of the year awards go to Missouri catcher Megan Christopher and Texas A&M infielder Natalie Villarreal. Christopher hails from Wright City, Missouri, and posted a .995 fielding percentage, throwing out the most runners in Big 12 play. Villarreal, a native of Frisco, Texas, finished with a .939 fielding percentage and made just 3 errors in 49 chances.
Big 12 coach of the year is Missouri's Ehren Earlywine. The Jefferson City, Missouri native piloted the Tigers to their first outright Big 12 softball title since 1997. MU finished the regular season with a 46-7 overall record and went 15-3 in the Big 12.

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