Feb. 1, 2008

AMHERST, MASS.Massachusetts junior Brandice Balschmiter (Newark, N.Y.) has been named to the initial watch list for the seventh annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award, announced the Amateur Softball Association.

The 2008 Pre-Season Watch List is comprised of 50 players representing 34 schools and 14 different NCAA Division I Conferences. The ASA will announce the 25 finalists on April 9. A player does not have to appear on the initial watch list to be considered as a Top 25 finalist, but once the Top 25 is named the remaining finalist must be selected from that list. Balschmiter was named to the 2007 pre-season watch list just one year ago.

The right-handed pitcher earned her second-straight Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year award in 2007 after posting a 29-10 record, leading the Minutewomen to their 19th A-10 Championship. Her 1.39 ERA was the 22nd best in the country, while earning First Team NFCA All-Region and Second Team Easton All-America honors.

Just days before the start of post-season play, a list of 10 finalists will be named and released on May 7. The final three finalists will be announced May 21 while the winner of the 2008 USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Award will be announced prior to the start of the 2008 NCAA Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City. The UMass softball squad will open the season against No. 12 Michigan in Boca Raton, Fla., on Feb. 8.