May 13, 2008

IRVINE, Calif. - The Big West Conference handed down its post-season softball awards Tuesday, and UC Davis junior Jessica Hancock is among those receiving first-team All-Big West recognition. Hancock is one of three Aggies garnering recognition as both Sarah O'Neill and Trish Paine received honorable mention.

Hancock finished third in the Big West with a 2.42 ERA and second in strikeouts with 225. She led the conference in innings pitched as well as appearances. In all, she posted 17 wins and five shutouts. For the second straight season, Hancock led UC Davis in nearly every pitching category.

Eleven pitchers in all were recognized as part of the first team, second team or honorable mention. Hancock, however, was one of just three pitchers selected to the first team.

O'Neill, a senior, finished the season with a .232 average and tied for third on the team in homeruns. She batted .262 in Big West games to go along with a .476 slugging percentage. Paine, a junior, led UC Davis with 53 hits and tied for the team-high with 17 stolen bases. She finished the year second on the team with a .293 batting average.

The honors come in UC Davis' first official season as a member of Division I and the Big West.