University of Minnesota Athletics
Moulton, Barnes Earn Big Ten Yearly Recognition
5/18/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
"This is a tremendous honor for both Sara and Malisa. Our coaching staff and our team are very proud of both of their contributions to the program this year," Minnesota head softball coach Jessica Allister said. "Both of them took on a lot of responsibility for us this season, and they are very deserving of these honors."
Moulton, the first Gopher to earn Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors since Brenda Bixby in 1988, was also named to the All-Big Ten Second Team following a phenomenal freshman campaign. In conference games this season, the Eagan, Minn., native tallied nine victories and a 2.20 ERA, which ranked fourth in conference play. The Freshman of the Year pitched 102 innings, finishing with four complete-game shutouts in 16 starts during Big Ten play. Moulton was a four-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week and a one-time Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honoree.
"I'm extremely honored to earn this year's Big Ten Freshman of the Year award and All-Big Ten honors. This would not have been possible without our entire team and our coaching staff," Moulton said. "I'm very excited about the progress we made this year, and I'm looking forward to playing here for the next three years."
Moulton posted a 28-16 overall record in 2011 - the most wins in a season by a Minnesota pitcher and the 12th most regular season wins in the country this year - while also tying the school record and finishing fifth in the NCAA with 14 shutouts this season. The freshman struck out 330 batters- finishing second in the Big Ten and seventh in the nation - and held a 2.06 ERA in 47 appearances in 2011.
Meanwhile, Barnes capped an impressive career at Minnesota with the third All-Big Ten accolade of her career - earning the All-Big Ten Third Team nod as a senior in 2011. The Phoenix, Ariz., native led Minnesota with a .433 batting average (.423 in conference play) - a figure that tied for third in the Big Ten, 22nd in the country and third on Minnesota's single-season record list. Barnes also held a .569 overall on-base percentage (.600 in conference play) and ranked third in the Big Ten and seventh in the nation. Her 49 walks this season crushed Minnesota's previous record of 36.
"I'm very honored to close out my college career with this All-Big Ten honor," Barnes said. "It is especially meaningful for me considering the hard work and effort myself and the team put in this year to make this our best season yet."
Barnes leaves Minnesota as one of the best to ever play for the Gopher softball program. A career.350 hitter, the first baseman ranks fourth in the school record book in career home runs with 19, second in walks with 109 and second in putouts with 1,512. Previously, Barnes was awarded All-Big Ten Third Team honors in 2008 and 2009.
Additionally, junior second baseman Dannie Skrove was Minnesota's honoree for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
