Heat Announce 2006 Post Season Awards
August 21, 2006 - National Pro Fastpitch (NPF)
Arizona Heat News Release
Tucson, AZ - The Heat concluded the 2006 season with a record of 20-28 and finished in sixth place.
2006 Post Season Awards
MVP - Nichole Thompson
Nichole Thompson earned MVP honors for her outstanding work at the plate this season. Thompson ended the season second on the team with a .317 average. She finished the year leading the NPF in both hits (46) and runs (26). Thompson also ranked second in at-bats (145), fourth in RBIs (24) and eighth in batting average. She led the Heat in several offensive categories, including hits, runs, RBIs and total bases (56). Her 12 game hitting streak set a franchise record and she also added an eight game hitting streak. Thompson finished first on the team in multiple RBI games (6) and second in multi-hit games (10). She currently holds the Heat career records in hits (94), runs (57) and doubles (18). Thompson was also an at-large selection to the 2006 NPF All-Star Team.
Defensive Player of the Year - LaDonia Hughes
LaDonia Hughes earned Defensive Player of the Year for play in centerfield. Hughes started 46 of the teams 48 games in centerfield, committed only one error and adding six outfield assists. She made spectacular plays all season long, consistently taking hits away from the other teams. Hughes's biggest play of the season was made in the Heat's 1-0 victory over the Connecticut Brakettes. She made a sensational diving catch in the first inning, laying out for a ball hit into deep left centerfield. She pulled in the catch, saving a run and keeping the Brakettes scoreless.
Pitcher of the Year - Desiree Serrano
Desiree Serrano earned Pitcher of the Year honors for her work on the mound all season long. Serrano appeared in 28 of a possible 44 games, and was the Heat's number one starter for ten of the twelve series. She finished the season with a 9-12 record while compiling a 3.09 ERA and striking out a team high 78 batters. Serrano led the club in nearly every pitching category, including 12 complete games which tied a franchise record. She picked up several big wins, beating the Racers in Akron twice and hurling a complete game one-hitter in Texas. Serrano also earned a victory by closing out the final five innings of the Heat's 1-0, 10 inning win over the Brakettes.
Rookie of the Year - Catalina Morris
Catalina Morris earned Rookie of the Year honors with an excellent debut season after finishing her collegiate career at Stanford University. Despite missing the first 16 games of the season while finishing up school, Morris finished at the top of nearly every offensive category. She ended the season with a .297 batting average, hitting out of the leadoff and cleanup spots in the lineup. Morris led the NPF in triples with seven, which also set a Heat single season and career record. She tied for the team lead in homeruns (3) and ranked second in stolen bases (9), third in RBIs (20) and fourth in runs (21). Her .535 slugging percentage was tops on the squad, and her 54 total bases place her second. Morris also did an excellent job in left field, committing only one error on the season.
National Pro Fastpitch Stories from August 21, 2006
- Spencer homers in Force 9-2 loss to Brakettes - Philadelphia Force
- Heat Announce 2006 Post Season Awards - Arizona Heat
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