Four players named to softball All-American teams

Four players on the UTM softball team were named to College Sports Madness All-American Teams. Sophomore pitcher and outfielder Amanda Brandenburg was named to the first team, while pitcher Chelsea Jones and infielders Leah Taylor and Stephanie Nidiffer were selected to the second team.

Brandenburg was named to the All-OVC first team and the OVC All-Newcomer team, in addition to being selected as the OVC Co-Freshmen of the Year. The Camden native hit .355 with 14 doubles and eight home runs as a true freshman this past season.

Jones, a senior from Tullahoma pitched 162 innings and sported a 2.24 Earned Run Average. She pitched 17 complete games, was 16-10 on the year and recorded 180 strikeouts.

Taylor, who transferred from Tennessee to UTM for her sophomore season, was named to the All-OVC second team and the OVC All-Newcomer squad. The Brownsville product hit .268 and was among the nation's leaders in triples. She successfully stole 34 of 37 bases to lead the Skyhawks.

Nidiffer, from Nashville, was named to the OVC All-Newcomer team. She started in 34 games at third base for head coach Donley Canary and the Skyhawks. She was second on the team with a .330 batting average.

Canary begins his 11th season and the Skyhawks open their 2012 slate Feb. 10-12 at the Southeastern Louisiana Lions Classic where they will play Kansas, Nicholls State, Northern Colorado, Northern Illinois and Southern.