OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- The Amateur Softball Association, the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States, and USA Softball announced today Texas pitcher Cat Osterman as the 2003 USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Year.

	Cat Osterman leads the nation with a 0.29 ERA.

Osterman's 2003 performance in the circle is unmatched. The Big 12 Pitcher of the Year, this Texas Longhorn ranks No. 1 in the nation with a 0.29 ERA and has not allowed a run in nine games dating back to April 22. She also leads the NCAA in strikeouts, averaging 13.0 per seven innings pitched. Osterman was a two-time USA Softball Player of the Week and led Texas to the first ever Big 12 back-to-back regular season and tournament titles.

At 30-4, this southpaw has combined for 442 strikeouts in 218 innings and is just four strikeouts away from reaching 1,000 for her career. Wearing jersey No. 8, Osterman has allowed just 61 hits and nine earned runs this season. She was a five-time Big 12 Player of the Week, MVP at the Big 12 Tournament, and honored by the NFCA as a first team Midwest All-Region selection and as a first-team All-American.

This past week at the NCAA regional in Austin, she was honored as the Region 3 Most Valuable Player after leading the Longhorns to four victories and their first berth to the Women's College World Series since 1998. Allowing just one hit in each regional game, she tallied 49 strikeouts in 25 innings pitched.

An education major, Osterman has also received 2003 Academic All-District VI honors, first team Academic All Big 12 honors, and is listed on the national ballot for Academic All-American honors. She is the daughter of Gary and Laura Osterman of Houston.

"I was totally shocked," said Osterman. "This award was unexpected. I did not think that I would win. UCLA's Natasha Watley and Arizona's Lovie Jung (the other finalists) had exceptional seasons. I am among elite company just being nominated for this award. I hope this will not be the only award we take back to Texas."

A replica of the Player of the Year award will be placed in a permanent display in the ASA National Softball Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, along with a photo display of Osterman.

The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award is designed to recognize outstanding athletic achievement by female collegiate softball players across the country.

The Amateur Softball Association, founded in 1933, is the National Governing Body of Softball in the United States and a member of the United States Olympic Committee. As the National Governing Body, the ASA is responsible for identifying, selecting and training male and female athletes to compete in World Championship, Pan American and Olympic competitions.