MSU Softball's Bramlett, Bures Named NFCA First Team All-American
May 28, 2008 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. ? Mississippi State sophomore Chelsea Bramlett and senior Courtney Bures have both been named 2008 Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) First Team All-American, the association announced Wednesday afternoon.
Bramlett was named the first team catcher, while Bures was selected as an at-large shortstop on the first team. It was the second first team selection for both, joining them with former Bulldogs Iyhia McMichael and Kellie Wilkerson as the only players to earn multiple first team honors. The only other time in program history that two State players earned first team accolades in the same season was 2000 when Wilkerson and Keri McCallum were tabbed to the squad.
"We are very proud of both Chelsea and Courtney for this honor that is very deserved after the fantastic seasons they put together," MState head coach Jay Miller said. "It is great recognition for the strong caliber of softball that is played in the Southeastern Conference, and it also shows the tremendous commitment that Chelsea and Courtney have made to Mississippi State University and the softball program here."
Bramlett earned the honor for the second straight season after claiming the first team utility spot as a freshman. The Cordova, Tenn., native and NCAA Tempe (Ariz.) Regional All-Tournament Team selection paced the team and the SEC at the plate with 90 hits on the year. Her .450 batting average, which ranks as the second-best in school history along with her hits total, placed her third among conference leaders and 10th in the nation. She also scored an SEC fifth-best 52 runs and added three doubles, three triples, two home runs and 25 RBI. The first team All-SEC selection matched her single-season stolen base record as she swiped 46 in 50 attempts, a mark which ranks fifth nationally and second in the conference.
Bures closed her Bulldog career with an all-America honor after taking first team honors as a freshman in 2005. A first team All-SEC honoree like Bramlett, Bures capped the season with a .398 average that included a team high 14 doubles and 46 RBI. The Haymarket, Va., native and draft selection of National Pro Fastpitch's Washington Glory finished her tenure in the Maroon & White as the school's career RBI leader (193) and in the top five in 19 other offensive categories. The stellar defensive shortstop tallied an SEC third-best .453 average in league games this season. Her .548 on-base percentage in conference play was second among the league leaders, and her 34 hits were the fifth-most.
Bramlett and Bures were two of seven players from the SEC named to the first team. State joined Florida, UCLA, Arizona State and Alabama with multiple first team selections. The duo paced an MSU squad that captured the second-most wins in school history (41-22) and earned a seventh NCAA Regional appearance, the fifth in Miller's six seasons as head coach. The 2008 Bulldogs also set school single-season records for batting average (.311) and stolen bases (126-for-147).
