Pittsburg State University freshman Amanda DeCastro has been tabbed a 2009 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Third-Team All-American. DeCastro, a utility player from Carl Junction High School, was an at-large selection to the third team as selected by NFCA coaches on the All-America selection committee from regions across the country.

DeCastro is only the fifth All-American in Pitt State history and the first since 1997. She is the second player to earn All-America honors as Shelly Graham also earned third-team honors as a freshman in 1997. The other three Pitt State All-Americans were Lisa Hill (1995), Joy Rishel (1994) and Leah Rogers (1993).

DeCastro, the MIAA Freshman of the Year, established herself as one of the MIAA's top hitters in her inaugural season at PSU. She ranks in the top 10 of every offensive category and leads the league in doubles with 0.47 per game, which is also third-best in the nation.

DeCastro is hitting .397 on the season and leads the Gorillas in hits (62), runs (47), doubles (25), slugging percentage (.705) and on base percentage (.463). She shares the team lead in home runs with seven. DeCastro's 25 doubles on the year set a new Pitt State and MIAA records for doubles in a season. As a utility player, DeCastro has seen time at first, second, short stop and right field during the season.

DeCastro was named the MIAA Freshman of the Year in an unanimous vote by the league's coaches. The award, along with the awards for Player, Pitcher and Coach of the Year, as well as All-MIAA teams were announced in the opening ceremonies of the MIAA Softball Championships on Friday (May 1) evening.

In addition to DeCastro's Freshman of the Year honor, she was named to the All-MIAA first team.

Six other PSU softball players also earned All-MIAA honors. Junior Cassie Martin earned her first All-MIAA honor as she was named to the second team. Junior Jessica Jones was named honorable mention All-MIAA, for the third all-conference honor of her career.

Senior Maria Bernal and junior Lindsay Birchfield each earned honorable mention All-MIAA for the second time in their careers. Junior pitcher Melissa Slayden and sophomore shortstop Haley Deaton both were named to the honorable mention team for the first time.