Headlined by senior Tori Vidales, who was named to the All-SEC First Team, four members of Texas A&M softball were honored Tuesday when the conference office revealed its annual awards voted on by the league’s coaches.
Vidales, along with catcher Ashley Walters, center fielder Erica Russell and right fielder Sarah Hudek were selected to the SEC’s All-Defensive Team. The four selections on the All-Defensive Team were the most from any school in the conference.
Vidales, who was a member of the 2016 All-SEC First Team, leads the Aggies in batting average (.346), home runs (11), RBI (53), slugging (.599) and on-base percentage (.445). The La Porte, Texas, native holds the record for the most career RBI with 210 and total bases at 464 in program history. Defensively, Vidales maintains a .989 fielding percentage with 337 putouts, 22 assists and has helped turn 16 double plays while starting all 55 games at first base.
A mainstay behind the plate, Walters holds a .997 fielding percentage having just committed one error in 312 chances. The Center Point, Texas, native has thrown out 11-of-19 would-be base stealers and has retired five runners in eight attempts in SEC games.
Russell holds a perfect fielding percentage with 64 putouts and three assists, starting 48 games in center field. The Bryan, Texas, native has made multiple appearances on SportsCenter’s Top 10, most notably with a diving catch against No. 6 Florida.
Hudek was errorless in conference play and made just two errors all season while starting all 55 games in right field. The Sugar Land, Texas, native recorded 53 putouts with two assists and helped turn one double play.
Texas A&M opens play at the SEC Tournament Wednesday in Columbia, Mo., as the Aggies take on Mississippi State at 11 a.m. The game will be televised live on the SEC Network with Adam Amin, Amanda Scarborough and Laura Rutledge calling the action.
