Jan. 31, 2008

Missouri senior Amanda Renth (Mascoutah, Ill.) was named to the seventh annual USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year Top-50 watch list as announced today by the Amateur Softball Association (ASA). This marks the second consecutive year that Renth has been named to the watch list.

The award, considered one of the most prestigious honors in women's collegiate softball, is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country. Tennessee pitcher Monica Abbott was awarded the title of Player of the Year in 2007, while former Texas pitcher Cat Osterman received the honor in 2005 and 2006.

Renth is one of nine Big 12 players and one of 23 seniors named to the prestigious list.

A first baseman on Missouri's softball team, Renth is a three-time All-Big 12 honoree and received 2007 All-Midwest Region accolades. Renth finished her junior campaign with a .319 average, .588 slugging percentage and a team-high 14 home runs. Taking on the eventual 2007 NCAA Women's College World Series Champions Arizona, Renth was 2-for-3 on March 2, with both hits clearing the fence for home runs. The Tiger finished the three-day stint in Arizona with a .600 batting average, 2.00 slugging percentage and was intentionally walked six times.

Renth and her Tiger teammates will play in the annual Black and Gold game, Saturday, Feb. 2 beginning at 2 p.m. (CT) in the Dan Devine Pavilion. The afternoon event is free and fans are encouraged to park in the parking lot on the west side of Faurot Field and use the pedestrian bridge to cross Providence Blvd.

No. 21 Missouri will officially open its season Friday, Feb. 8 at the Florida International University (FIU) Invitational in Miami. The Tigers are slated for a 2 p.m. (CT) contest against No. 15 Virginia Tech.