Dean Named First-Team All-SEC, Four Others Earn League Honors

May 12, 2004

TUSCALOOSA  - Auburn's junior catcher, Sara Dean, was one of five Auburn players honored Wednesday at the Southeastern Conference softball banquet as she was chosen as a First-Team All-SEC selection, it was announced by the league.

Dean, who led the Tigers in nearly every offensive category, is the first Auburn player to earn first team honors since Ashley Moore in 2002. She hit .370 on the year, easily the best among the league's catchers to garner most of the vote. Two years ago, the league coaches voted her Co-Freshman of the Year.

Earning Second-Team All-SEC honors were senior pitcher Kristen Keyes and junior outfielder Shannon Anderson. Keyes, who has carried the Tigers in the circle this year broke every school single-season pitching record this year and threw four no-hitters. She ranks among the nation's leaders in wins, strikeouts and earned-run average.

Anderson shattered her own school record with 30 stolen bases this year.  She ranked third in the conference and 16th in the nation in the category. She also batted .292, which was second on the team and was one of just four outfielders in the SEC not to commit an error all season.

The three players honored ties for the most in school history. The 2001 team placed three players on the first team.

Freshmen Kristina McCain and Sara Ghezzi also received recognition from the SEC at the banquet. The duo was named to the Freshman All-SEC team. McCain moved to the leadoff position just a few weeks ago and helped Auburn to series wins over Alabama and Georgia as well as doubleheader splits with LSU and Florida State.

Ghezzi had two late-inning, game-winning hits and a game-tying one on the year and performed much better in league action than outside of it. Five of her six extra-base knocks came against SEC opponents.

Tennessee's Monica Abbott swept Pitcher of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors. Mississippi State's Iyhia McMichael, who leads the nation in batting average, was named Player of the Year.

Ralph and Karen Weekly, co-coaches for the Lady Vols, took home Coach of the Year honors after taking Tennessee to the SEC East crown.