UIC's Cameron Astiazaran Named Softball First Team All-American

June 3, 2005

Chicago, Ill. - University of Illinois at Chicago senior Cameron Astiazaran had the perfect cap put on an illustrious softball career and one of the greatest single seasons in Flames history as she was named to the 2005 Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-American First Team on Thursday afternoon.

Astiazaran batted a career-high .481 this year with a school record 102 hits and 27 doubles while also belting 17 home runs and tallying 54 RBI.

The Flames' leadoff hitter topped NCAA Division I softball in doubles per game while she ranks in the top five in both batting average and slugging percentage (.887).

"I'm very surprised," Astiazaran said. "I really didn't think I would be named a First Team All-American.

"I had so much fun this year and awards like this really make for a great ending to my softball career."

Astiazaran, who also earned Horizon League Player of the Year and NFCA All-Great Lakes Region First Team honors, is the first softball player in school history to be named a First Team All-American.

She is the fifth player in UIC annals to earn All-America recognition, joining Samantha Iuli (1998, 1999), Stefanie Christoferson (2001), Edel Leyden (2002) and Amanda Rivera (2004).

Astiazaran was also named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America First Team on Thursday selected by CoSIDA. The UIC graduate with a 3.37 GPA in Criminal Justice is the only softball player in the country to earn both academic and athletic First Team All-America accolades.