The Big West Conference presented its 2013 softball honors awards on May 14, two of which were handed to Long Beach State shortstop Shayna Kimbrough and right fielder Darian Tautalafua.
Kimbrough was named this year’s conference Player of the Year while Tautalafua earned Freshman Player of the Year honors.
Kimbrough earned the top offensive honor after leading the conference in hits with 74 while ranking second with a .374 batting average. The sophomore’s season average was also good for second best in LBSU’s history.
Tautalafua finished the season with a conference-best 43 RBIs, finished second in home runs with 13 and third in walks with 29. The two-time Big West Player of the Week finished the season one home run short of tying the school’s single season record.
To add to their awards, Kimbrough and Tautalafua were named to the Big West softball first-team all-conference. Also included to the team were pitcher Erin Jones-Wesley and third baseman Hannah De Gaetano. Catcher Karli Sandoval was named to the second-team all-conference, and Sarah Carrasco and Nalani St. Germain were named honorable mentions.
Another honorable award was handed out to Kimbrough on Thursday, as she was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s All-West Region second-team. She was one of five Big West players to receive the honor. The nomination marks the 11th for an LBSU player in the last 12 years.
All nominees will be eligible for this year’s NFCA Division I All-American team, which will be announced on May 29.