Bryan, Malkinson named all-region

Bryan named first team, while Malkinson nets second team honors

ABILENE -- Abilene Christian softball teammates Katie Bryan and Valerie Malkinson have each been named Louisville Slugger / National Fastpitch Coaches' Association NCAA Division II all-South Central Region players for the 2005 season.

Bryan, who earlier Monday was named third team all-America, was a first team all-region selection at first base for the third straight year, while Malkinson was a second team all-region selection at third base for the second straight season.

Bryan had a brilliant senior season, capped by Lone Star Conference South Division MVP honors and all-tournament recognition at the NCAA Division II South Central Region tournament.  Bryan helped ACU to a 31-22 record and the program's first bid to the regional tournament.

Bryan -- a first team all-NCAA Division II South Central Region and third team all-America player as a junior in 2004 -- re-wrote the ACU record book during her career and leaves ACU as the all-time leader in games played (193), runs scored (148), hits (227), home runs (38), RBI (171) and total bases (387).

She's also the single-season leader in home runs (19 in 2005), RBI (58 in 2005), total bases (127 in 2005), walks (34 in 2005) and slugging percentage (.875 in 2005).  During her monstrous 2005 season, she also set single-game records for total bases (10 in an April 1 game against Eastern New Mexico), home runs in a game (2 in both games of an April 1 doubleheader at ENMU) and RBI (6 in both games of an April 1 doubleheader at ENMU).

Malkinson finished her career No. 2 on the single-season home run chart with the 13 she hammered in 2005.  She's also No. 2 on the career home run chart with 19, and her 86 career RBI are in the top five.  She finished her two-year career with a .379 batting average, 54 runs scored, 19 home runs and 86 RBI.

A two-time first team all-Lone Star Conference South Division player, Malkinson  joins Bryan, former pitcher Shelly Owen and former shortstop Chantiel McDonnell -- now ACU head coach Chantiel Wilson -- as the only Wildcats to be two-time all-region honorees.