SAN ANTONIO- The University of the Incarnate Word softball sophomore, Victoria Altamirano, was named the Southland Conference Player of the Year, announced the league office on Monday. She is the first UIW softball player in Division I history to receive this award for the school. Altamirano set numerous UIW records and led the Southland Conference in various categories to achieve this award.

In her stellar sophomore season, Altamirano was the top hitter in the Southland Conference with a .452 average and in the latest NCAA DI rankings, she was third with a .466 batting average. She is also leader in the SLC for slugging percentage, runs scored, hits, and RBIs. Filling up the stat leaderboard, she is second in on base percentage, doubles, and home runs categories. With her 71 hits on the season, Altamirano had 17 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, and 48 RBIs. Her offense helped the powerhouse that UIW was in the regular season and hope to bring into postseason play starting Tuesday. 

Altamirano has been recognized for her play on both sides of the field. As a threat at first base and right field, Altamirano has totaled 102 catches on the year and 95 put outs. She has a 1.00 fielding percentage which ranks second in the conference.  

In UIW history Altamirano now holds the single season records for batting average (.452), hits (71), home runs (11), doubles (17) and RBIs (28). With it only being her second season at the Word, she is currently on track to be the best player UIW has ever had. 

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