June 8, 2006

LYNCHBURG, Va. - Four University of Virginia softball players have been named to the 11-member 2006 Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) All-State University Division Softball Second Team. Fourth-years Erin Horn (Tallahassee, Fla./Leon) and Jessica Taylor (Philadelphia, Pa./Germantown Academy), third-year Amy McKean (Kent, Wash./Kentlake) and second-year Lindsey Preuss (La Plata, Md./La Plata) each garnered VaSID All-State Second Team honors.

Horn, a pitcher/outfielder, captures VaSID honors as a pitcher for the second time in her career. She was a first-team selection in 2004. As a senior in 2006, Horn was selected as UVa's Most Valuable Player. She posted a 13-12 overall record with a career-best four saves and a 2.03 ERA in 37 pitching appearances. Horn struck out 190 batters in only 141.1 innings and held opposing hitters to a .176 batting average. She notched her second career no-hitter against Maine on Feb. 26 while striking out a career-best 16 batters, including 13 consecutive at one point in the contest. Horn was named ACC Player of the Week on Feb. 27. She holds UVa's school records for career saves with nine as well as pitching appearances with 145. In addition to pitching, Horn played outfield and hit for first time in her career and posted a .243 batting average (33-136) with 19 runs scored and nine stolen bases. She started 54 of UVa's 55 games.

Taylor, who anchored Virginia's outfield from center field, captures VaSID honors for the second time. She was a first-team pick in 2005. Taylor was second-team All-ACC in 2006, marking the second consecutive year she has earned All-Conference accolades. She was the only Cavalier to start all 55 games at the same position in 2006. She hit .272 (46-169) with 20 RBI. Her 46 hits, which included seven doubles, three triples and two home runs, and 28 runs scored led the team. Taylor was also second on the team with 15 stolen bases and concluded her career tied for second on UVa's all-time stolen bases list with 52.

McKean earned VaSID honors as a designated player. She led the team with a career-best .310 (31-100) batting average, while also establishing career-bests in hits (31), doubles (7), home runs (7), RBI (24), total bases (59), walks (17), and slugging percentage (.590). She played in 40 games with 37 starts. McKean was hitting .378 prior to a leg injury in early April. Her seven home runs came in the first 29 games of the season. She also led UVa with nine multiple-RBI games.

Preuss joined Taylor on the VaSID second-team as an outfielder. Preuss ended the season as UVa' starting left fielder. She started 50 of the 54 games she appeared in and was second on the team with a .281 (38-135) batting average. Preuss led the team with 10 doubles and also hit one triple and three home runs while driving in 15 runs. Preuss also scored 23 runs and stole eight bases in nine attempts. She ended the season with a six-game hitting streak.

Eleven players were also named to the VaSID First Team. Liberty's Jessica Moore was selected as the VaSID Most Valuable Player. Virginia Tech's Angela Tincher was named the Pitcher of the Year, while teammate Jessica Everhart was chosen as the Rookie of the Year. Liberty's Paul Wetmore was named the VaSID Coach of the Year.

Virginia concluded its 2006 season with a 29-26 overall record and tied for sixth in the ACC with a 7-13 record.