June 1, 2005

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Freshman Kayla Meeks was named to the Pacific All-Region second team, announced recently. The pitcher/right fielder broke the LMU single season ERA record, finishing the season with a 0.99 ERA, and hit .287 at the plate. Meeks' pitching was a key reason that the Lions won the PCSC title and made their first ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Meeks is the only non-Pac 10 player to appear on the Pacific All Region team.

Meeks started the season out of the bullpen, but with a few strong performances, became a staple in LMU's starting rotation. Her 0.99 ERA was 15th in the nation, and the lowest single season ERA in LMU history. She started game one of every PCSC conference series, and LMU went a perfect 5-0 in those games. She finished the season with a 13-4 record with one save.

Meeks also had a strong season at the plate. She was hitting over .300 for most of the season, playing in right field when she wasn't the starting pitcher. She drove in LMU's only runs in 1-0 wins over UC Santa Barbara and Portland State. She recorded the team's second longest hitting streak at 11 games (Mar. 14-30), and hit .359 with a .547 slugging percentage in the month of March.

Meeks was honored as a utility player, and moves into the running for national All-American status. The All-American team will be announced at the Women's College World Series. Margo Pineda and Tiffany Pagano are also eligible for the national ballot as the PCSC's Player and Pitcher of the Year.

LMU finished the season with a 34-20 record, making its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Lions won the PCSC title with a 16-4 record, earning the postseason berth.

- GO LIONS! -