Purcell Makes Easton All-America

PROVO -- BYU sophomore Jessica Purcell was named to the 2009 Easton Second-Team All-America list Thursday, marking her second All-American honor this 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.

“It’s well deserved,” BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. “She is only the second BYU player of ever be named Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, All-Region, and to both All-American lists. That is an incredible accomplishment and I think her best days are yet to come.”

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

Pucell was tagged MWC 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.

She was named Third-Team All-American by Louisville Slugger and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association in May.