Holverson named WAC Pitcher of the Year

FRESNO, Calif. - Katie Holverson was named the Pitcher of the Year and lead six Nevada players on the 2009 All-WAC teams, the league announced Wednesday morning at a banquet.

Holverson went 23-8 with a 1.61 earned-run average in the regular season with a 12-2 and 1.07 mark in WAC play. She is the first Nevada player to ever receive the Pitcher of the Year honor.

She was joined on the All-WAC first team by senior outfielder Brittany Puzey, junior third baseman Sam Bias and sophomore catcher Noelle Micka.

Senior second baseman Kym Silagyi and junior first baseman Kelsey Starr were named to the All-WAC second team.

Nevada led the league with four first-team selections and was tied with Hawaii for six overall selections to the All-WAC teams.

"Katie Holverson has worked extremely hard and her performance this year, and in her career at Nevada, speaks for itself," first-year Nevada coach Matt Meuchel said. "I am happy for all of our players who were honored - they are all well-deserving of these accolades."

The teams were selected in voting by the league's head coaches. Voting was based on conference statistics and coaches were not allowed to vote for players from their own teams.

This is the third straight season on the All-WAC first team for Puzey, who hit .373 with six home runs and 18 RBI in Nevada's 20 league games.

This is the second straight season that Micka has been on the All-WAC first team. The sophomore batted .325 with three doubles and a home run in league play.

This is the first year that Bias has been selected to All-WAC team. The junior hit .348 with four doubles, four home runs and 12 RBI while playing errorless ball at third base.

Starr hit .255 in WAC play with three home runs and 11 driven in while Silagyi batted .235 with three doubles and three triples.

Louisiana Tech shortstop Amberly Waits was the league's Player of the Year while Hawaii pitcher Stephanie Ricketts was the Freshman of the Year. Fresno State skipper Margie Wright was the WAC's Coach of the Year.

The postseason awards banquet was held Wednesday morning prior to the start of the 2009 WAC Tournament at Bulldog Diamond.

Nevada begins play in the tournament Wednesday afternoon against New Mexico State. First pitch is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and the game can be heard live in Northern Nevada on Fox Sports Radio 1450 AM.