The University of Houston-Victoria Jaguars continued their string of success this season by claiming all three major Association of Independent Institutions awards and five spots on the A.I.I. All-Star Team, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Friday.   The Jaguars’ Kristen Lindley, a senior from Spring, was named the A.I.I. Player of the Year for 2009. Her teammate, Tasha Rotramel, a junior from Lake Jackson, earned the title of A.I.I. Pitcher of the Year. UHV head coach Keri Lambeth also was recognized as the 2009 A.I.I. Coach of the Year.

The awards were announced after the Jaguars were crowned the A.I.I. softball champions this past weekend.   In her senior season at UHV, Lindley was simply outstanding at the plate, posting 69 hits and a .486 batting average on the year. Lindley is currently ranked fourth in the NAIA in hits per game (1.769), seventh in doubles per game (.436), eighth in batting average, and leads her team with 47 RBI.

On the mound, Rotramel leads the Jaguars with a blistering 1.55 ERA, posting an overall record of 12-3 on the year, and is currently 21st in the NAIA in runs allowed per game (1.273).

Lambeth received the Coach of the Year award after guiding Houston-Victoria to a 31-10 regular season record, and a 3-0 performance at the inaugural A.I.I. Championship. UHV defeated California State University at San Marcos 9-4 in the championship final to earn an automatic berth at the 2009 NAIA National Championships, scheduled for May 14-20, in Decatur, Ala.   In addition to Lindley and Rotramel, three seniors from the UHV softball team were named to the 2009 A.I.I. All-Star Team. They were pitcher Lauren Garza of Houston, infielder Stephanie Lavey of Mesquite, and outfielder Amber Scott of Sante Fe, Texas.  “This is a huge accomplishment for our program,” UHV Athletics Director Ashley Walyuchow said. “To earn the recognition these players and our coach have shows that their hard work and dedication paid off.”

Listed below are the A.I.I. major award winners, and the 2009 A.I.I. All-Star team members with their school, hometown and year listed.

2009 A.I.I. Major Award Winners:

A.I.I. Player of the Year: Kristen Lindley – UHV
A.I.I. Pitcher of the Year: Tasha Rotramel – UHV
A.I.I. Coach of the Year: Keri Lambeth – UHV

2009 A.I.I. All-Star Team

Pitchers:
Tasha Rotramel** – UHV – Lake Jackson - JR
Lauren Garza – UHV – Houston - SR
Breanna Sandberg – CSU San Marcos – Santee, Calif. - SO
Melissa Lerno – CSU San Marcos – El Centro, Calif. - SR
Megan Rowe – LSU Alexandria – Jonesboro, La. - JR

Catchers:
Meaghan Cumpstone – SFU – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada - SR
Maggie Allen – Thomas – St. Petersburg, Fla. - JR

Infielders:
Sloane Laiche – LSU Alexandria – St. Amant, La. - SR
Cassie Sparks – Thomas – Brooker, Fla. - SR
Stephanie Lavey – UHV – Mesquite - SR
Christine Barr – SFU – Trail, British Columbia, Canada - SR
Lauren Nelson – CSU San Marcos – Oceanside, Calif. - SO
Rachel Canganelli – Thomas – Ocala, Fla. - JR

Outfielders:
Jessie Harris – SFU – Stouffville, Ontario, Canada - JR
Amber Scott – UHV – Sante Fe, Texas - SR
Alyssa Dronenburg – CSU San Marcos – La Mesa, Calif. - FR
Stefani Durrant – SFU – Richmond, British Columbia, Canada - JR

Designated Player:
Kristen Lindley* – UHV – Spring, Texas – SR

* Player of the Year
** Pitcher of the Year