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June 19, 2006

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Former Lady Vol Sarah Fekete and rising Tennessee senior Lindsay Schutzler have been chosen as part of a 17-member contingent by USA Softball to represent the United States at the 2006 World University Games in Tainan City, Taiwan from July 15-23. The Big Orange duo was part of a 30-player group that was trimmed to 17 individuals after a recent selection camp in Chula Vista, Calif.

The U.S. won the inaugural World University Games event held in Plant City, Fla., during October of 2004. Current Lady Vol pitcher Monica Abbott registered a 1-1 record with a 0.50 ERA and 23 K's in 14 innings of work on her way to a gold medal.

The World University team will play a scrimmage against the USA Softball Women's National Team on July 10 in Irvine, Calif., before departing for Taiwan. Upon the squad's return to the United States, it will stop off in Chicago for a four-game series against the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch league from July 26-30.

"USA Softball has made a pair of great selections in Sarah Fekete and Lindsay Schutzler," said Lady Vol co-head coach Ralph Weekly. "Both players have worked extremely hard throughout their careers to improve their skill set. Sarah led the country in hitting this past season and has started her pro career extremely well in Philadelphia. Lindsay was also a first-team All-American and has been rock solid for our team throughout her three-year stay at Tennessee. She also gained valuable experience with the USA Elite team last summer."

This marks Fekete's initial foray into USA Softball play, but Schutzler traveled with the USA Elite squad during the summer of 2005. The Monterey, Calif., native ranked second on that team in hitting with a .400 batting average (14-of-35) while leading the Americans in runs scored (nine) and stolen bases (six) during a run to the final at the Canada Cup in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Schutzler was also chosen as the Red Pool's Most Valuable right fielder for her contributions during the U.S. run to the final. She completed action at the Intercontinental Cup in Madrid, Spain, with a .545 batting average (12-of-22) to rate third on the squad in hitting. The 5-5 Schutzler also led the Americans in runs scored (10) and stolen bases (four) while tying for the team-high in hits (12). Combining her summer efforts at both events, she hit an impressive .456 (26-of-57) with 19 runs and 10 stolen bases.

Both Fekete and Schutzler provided outstanding contributions during Tennessee's 61-12 campaign and eventual third-place finish at the Women's College World Series on their way to first-team Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American honors.

Fekete led the nation in batting average at .500 (110-of-220) while establishing a new league record for single-season hits (110). The Maryville, Tenn., native's total eclipsed the previous conference mark of 107 base knocks registered by Schutzler in 2005. The 5-8 speedster hit safely in 60 of her 72 games played in 2006 and reached base by hit or walk in an incredible 65 of 72 contests. She also led the SEC in on-base percentage (.553) and hits while rating third in the league in runs scored (61). Fekete completed her career as the all-time Tennessee leader in batting average (.398), on-base percentage (.456) and stolen bases (85) while finishing second in runs scored (189) and hits (296). During UT's postseason run she hit .489 and was honored as the UT Daily Beacon Athlete of the Year. Fekete has recently proven capable of contributing in the pros by hitting .400 during her initial four-contest stretch (3-1) with the Philadelphia Force of the National Pro Fastpitch League (NPL).

Schutzler rated 10th in NCAA Division I in runs scored (0.99) per game and 15th in triples per contest (0.11) during a 2006 campaign that saw her hit .409 (94-of-230) while rating first in three-baggers (eight), second in runs scored (72), third in hits and sixth in batting average in the SEC. She proved equally adept at reaping honors in the classroom by being tabbed a 2006 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America first-team choice as well as the prestigious University Division Player of the Year by maintaining a 3.86 GPA in psychology.

Check into utladyvols.com this summer for game recaps and statistics when available from Tennessee's participation with the various USA Softball programs.

The roster for the World University Games is as follows: Callista Balko (Tucson, Ariz., Arizona); Tina Boutelle (Katy, Texas, Texas); Courtney Bures (Haymarket, Va., Mississippi State); Katie Burkhart (San Luis Obispo, Ariz., Arizona State); Christina Clark (Santa Ana, Calif., Fresno State); Kaitlin Cochran (Yorba Linda, Calif., Arizona State); Norrelle Dickson (Orange, Calif., Oklahoma); Sarah Fekete (Maryville, Tenn., Tennessee); Samantha Findlay (Lockport, Ill., Michigan); Kristie Fox (San Diego, Calif., Arizona); Lauren Lappin (Anaheim, Calif., Stanford); Brianne McGowan (Reno, Nev., Oregon State); Cambria Miranda (Camarillo, Calif., Oregon State); Jackie Rinehart (Reno, Nev., Stanford); Jennie Ritter (Dexter, Mich., Michigan); Lindsay Schutzler (Monterey, Calif., Tennessee) and Angela Tincher (Eagle Rock, Va., Virginia Tech) will represent the U.S. at the Championship.

The World University Team will be skippered by Michigan head coach Carol Hutchins with assistance from coach Mike Larabee (Head Coach at Wright State), coach Mark Lumley (Assistant Coach at Baylor) and coach Jay Miller (Head Coach at Mississippi State).