By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Graduate Ferguson earns all-conference honors
Placeholder Image
Brianne Ferguson set a handful of goals prior to the start of the 2003-2004 season. The junior pitcher didn't think she'd earn all-conference honors.

"It wasn't a goal," Ferguson said.

Ferguson and four other Sacramento State softball players were named to the all-Pacific Coast Softball Conference team on May 13.

She read a press release at hornetsports.com

"My parents told me it was on the web site," Ferguson said. "Then I looked at it."

Ferguson, a 2002 Ceres High graduate, was a first-team, all-PCSC selection.

She had a breakout season in which she led the Hornets in wins (16), appearances (29) and shutouts (9). Ferguson went 16-11 with a 1.58 ERA, including 20 complete games in 23 starts. Her wins and shutouts were the most by a Hornet since Kelly Lovato had 17 wins and 12 shutouts in 1999.

Against conference competition, Ferguson posted a 7-2 record with a 1.71 ERA while being named conference pitcher of the week on April 14.

"I did the best I could," said Ferguson, who compiled a 12-12 record with a 2.31 ERA as Sacramento's No. 2 starter last season.

Ferguson missed her final two starts this year after suffering a non-related softball injury.

A steel door was inadvertently closed on her right hand as she placed it on the doorjamb of a dugout while getting a drink from a nearby water fountain.

"It probably would have turned out the same way," Ferguson said. "We would have finished in third place in the conference and we wouldn't have made the playoffs."

Sacramento lost its final eight games. The Hornets concluded the 2004 regular season with a 32-28 overall record and tied for third in the PCSC with Portland State at 10-10.

The 32 victories marked the fourth-consecutive season in which the team improved upon its win total.

Ferguson can't wait until next season.

"I just want to pick up where I left off," she said.

"We would like to win conference because we would get an automatic bid (into the playoffs). That would be nice."

Ferguson played for the Ceres High varsity softball team for four years. She led the Bulldogs to four-consecutive league titles.

Ferguson was a first-team, all-state selection and Central California Conference Most Valuable Player as a senior after posting a .432 batting average, 0.12 ERA and 241 strikeouts. - By DALE BUTLER / Staff Reporter of The Ceres (Calif.) Courier