Purcell Named Third-Team All-American

PROVO -- BYU sophomore catcher Jessica Purcell was named to the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Third-Team All-America list.

“This is a tremendous accomplishment and a well-deserved honor for Jessica,” BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. “She had a great season.”

Purcell, who hails from Walnut, Calif., had a record-breaking sophomore campaign finishing the season batting .392 with 83 RBI, breaking the BYU single season record set in 2006 by Ianeta Le’i.

She also set the single-season grand slam record with three grand slams and she totaled 17 home runs, 16 doubles and three triples for a .807 slugging percentage.

“This is a great honor and my team deserves a lot of credit,” Purcell said. “This season has been great and my team has been behind me, helping me to be the best that I can be.”

Pucell was tagged Mountain West Conference Player of the Year after the Cougars captured their fourth MWC title. Purcell led BYU to its fifth-straight NCAA Regional appearance, finishing the season 40-18 after losing to Ohio State and Kentucky at the Columbus Regional.

Players from 32 institutions and 12 different conferences were named to the 2009 Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America teams; Purcell was the lone MWC representative on the list.