MSU's Bramlett, Smith Receive All-SEC Honors
May 06, 2009 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. ? Mississippi State's Chelsea Bramlett was named First Team All-SEC Catcher for the second-straight season, and Ka'ili Smith was tabbed to the second team and the all-freshman squad on Wednesday as the Southeastern Conference released its 2009 postseason softball awards that are voted on by the league's coaches.
"It's nice to see Chelsea and Ka'ili recognized by the SEC coaches for their outstanding seasons," Bulldog head coach Jay Miller said. "Both of them work hard every day to become better players, and it's great to see that hard work pay off with these awards."
Bramlett became the fifth Bulldog to receive All-SEC honors three times. Prior to her first-team nod in 2008, she earned second-team honors as a freshman (2007).
Bramlett earned the nod following a stellar campaign where she has hit a league-best and national third-highest .485. The Cordova, Tenn., native also became the first Bulldog to reach 50 stolen bases in a season, swiping a school-record and SEC-best 51 en route to passing Iyhia McMichael for MSU's top career mark.
In addition to holding the league's top batting average, Bramlett finished the SEC slate second in the conference with a .433 average. She also scored 20 runs and stole 16-of-19 bases against SEC squads.
Smith earned second team outfield honors in addition to becoming the sixth Bulldog to claim Freshman All-SEC accolades. Smith's all-freshman honor marks the third-straight year the Bulldogs have landed a newcomer on the squad.
The Kapolei, Hawaii, native, who was named SEC Freshman of the Week for the second time this season on Monday, was one of State's top hitters down the stretch. After hitting .257 through her first 13 games, she has gone on to post a .324 average while leading the team in doubles (10), triples (4) and RBI (32).
Smith batted at a .338 clip her first year of league play. Over the 27-game SEC slate, she drove in a team-high 17 runs behind six extra-base hits (four doubles, a triple and a home run).
Mississippi State (26-26, 8-19 SEC) closes out the regular season Friday, hosting Mississippi Valley State in a 3 p.m. doubleheader at the MSU Softball Field.
