If opposing pitchers did not know the name McNulty in 2006, it did not take them long to take note of the University of Memphis softball slugger. A juco transfer out of Central Arizona, Bridgette McNulty made a name for herself in the Lady Tiger's inaugural season last year. "Bridgette is an amazing athlete and an amazing player," said Memphis head coach Windy Thees. "She has that ability to put the team on her back and carry us if she has to. Hopefully she doesn't have to a lot, but she did last year." The 2006 Lady Tiger Offensive Player of the Year started all 54 games at third base as a junior and led the team in seven offensive categories, while ranking in the top-seven in C-USA in each of those fields. Her offensive numbers led to an All-Conference USA Second Team selection. McNulty ranked second in the league in home runs with 12 and slugging percentage with a .683 mark, while sitting third in doubles with 15, fourth in RBIs with 42 and runs scored with 40. The Phoenix, Ariz., native's .354 batting average was second on the team and fourth in the league. "When she's calm and confident, I don't know if there's anybody better, not just in the conference, but maybe in the whole region over there on the hot corner," Thees said. "She's a leader on the field. She's got a cannon for an arm. She's got all those tools that coaches look for in top athletes in this game." The 2005 NJCAA Division I All-American led the team in assists with 101. McNulty ended the season with 16 multiple-hit games and had multi-RBI games 12 times. She had a season high five RBIs with two home runs in a 3-for-3 performance against St. John's in a victory early in the 2006 season. McNulty will look to add to her numbers as she begins her senior campaign with the Lady Tigers in a tournament hosted by LSU on February 9-11. |
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