Five Huskers Earn All-Midwest Region Honors

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Oklahoma City, Okla. ? Five Nebraska softball players were among the 24 players named to the 2004 Midwest All-Region teams announced on Wednesday. Three Huskers were named to the first team, including senior right-handed pitcher Peaches James, sophomore third baseman Jessica Yoachim and senior outfielder Nicole Trimboli. Sophomore outfielder Trisha Tannahill and junior second baseman Anne Steffan were named to the first team. <?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

James is making her third appearance on the All-Midwest Region team, while Trimboli and Steffan are both being honored for the second time. Yoachim and Tannahill are being recognized for the first time. As part of the first-team, James, Trimboli and Yoachim will move on to the All-America ballot.

"We’re always honored anytime we have anyone selected for any award," NU Coach Rhonda Revelle said. "It says a lot for the work these girls have put in this season."

James has enjoyed the best season of her career, winning Big 12 Pitcher of the Week honors a league-high four times while leading the Big 12 in wins (34), ERA (0.74), shutouts (17), opponent batting average (.140), complete games (35) and strikeouts (303). James, a four-time first-team All-Big 12 pick, is the first pitcher and only the fourth player overall in Big 12 history to earn four first-team All-Big 12 honors. James joins Jennifer Lizama, who played for Nebraska from 1997-2000, as the only Huskers to earn four consecutive first-team All-Big 12 honors.

Twice named the USA Softball National Player of the Week, James had broken two single-season school records in 2004, including single-season shutouts (15) and single-season strikeouts (303). James also set an NU career record with the 40th shutout of her career against Texas on April 9. She also owns the NU career record with 898 strikeouts.

Like James, Trimboli has left her mark on the NU record books. The Colorado Springs, Colo., native ranks among the top 10 at Nebraska in 10 career offensive categories. Trimboli leads the team with 46 RBIs and 10 doubles. She is hitting .306 for the season with a team-high seven home runs. Trimboli ranks in the top eight in the Big 12 in seven categories, including second in RBIs and third in total bases.

Yoachim ranked second in the conference with a .356 average in Big 12 games. For the season, the Arkansas City, Kan., native is hitting .322 with 32 runs scored and 11 stolen bases.

Tannahill ranks second on the team with 32 RBIs, and she was third in the Big 12 (league games only) with 12 RBIs. Tannahill is hitting .311 for the season and has been perfect in left field in 42 chances. The Overland Park, Kan., native has also been one of the Huskers’ top base runners, swiping 13 bases in 14 tries to rank second on the team.

Steffan is the Huskers’ leading hitter with a .366 average, she also ranks first on the team in at bats, runs, hits and stolen bases. With 28 steals on the season, Steffan has tied the is only four stolen bases away from breaking the school record.