SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - When included on a list of the 13 best pitchers in the history of the Pac-12 Conference, the numbers posted by Cal legend Michele Granger jump off the page.
On Monday night, Granger was named to the Pac-12 All-Century Softball team as one member of an extremely select list of greats to pass through the conference. One of the most dominant pitchers in the history of college softball, the southpaw pitched in Berkeley from 1990-93 before going on to help Team USA win the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
While wearing blue and gold, Granger posted mind-boggling numbers. She threw 25 no-hitters and five perfect games as a Golden Bear, finishing her career with a 119-52 record and 0.46 ERA. She established then-Cal records for career wins (119), games (183), games started (162), complete games (155), innings pitched (1,202), strikeouts (1,640) and shutouts (94). Her strikeout total of 1,640 ranks ninth all-time in NCAA history and her shutout total of 94 is second to only Tennessee's Monica Abbott.
Granger was a finalist for the Honda Sports Award all four years she played at Cal and was equally impressive in international play. As a member of Team USA in 1996, she went 2-0 with a 0.87 ERA and 25 strikeouts at the Atlanta Olympics. One of those wins came in the Gold Medal game against China.
Honorees were selected by a panel of 35 consisting of coaches, players, administrators and member of the media. UCLA's Lisa Fernandez was chosen as the conference's Player and Pitcher of the Century while Arizona head coach Mike Candrea was selected as the Coach of the Century.
Pac-12 All-Century Softball Team
CATCHER
Stacey Nuveman – UCLA, 1997, 99, 2001-02
Leah Braatz – Arizona, 1994-95, 97-98
FIRST BASE
Amy Chellevold – Arizona, 1992-95
Tairia Mims – UCLA, 2000-2003
SECOND BASE
Jenny Dalton – Arizona, 1993-96
Caitlin Benyi – UCLA, 2003-06
SHORTSTOP
Natasha Watley – UCLA, 2000-03
Dot Richardson – UCLA, 1981-83
Laura Espinoza – Arizona, 1992-95
THIRD BASE
Jennifer Brundage – UCLA, 1992-95
Janice Parks – UCLA, 1986-1989
OUTFIELD
Jessica Mendoza – Stanford, 1999-02
Caitlin Lowe – Arizona, 2004-07
Leah O'Brien – Arizona, 1993-95, 97
Kaitlin Cochran – Arizona State, 2006-09
Alison McCutcheon – Arizona, 1995-98
Gina Vecchione – UCLA, 1980-82
PITCHER
Lisa Fernandez – UCLA, 1990-93
Jennie Finch – Arizona, 1999-002
Michele Granger – California, 1990-93
Danielle Lawrie – Washington, 2007-10
Debbie Doom – UCLA, 1982-85
Keira Goerl – UCLA, 2001-2004
Nancy Evans – Arizona, 1994-95, 97-98
Susie Parra – Arizona, 1991-94
Alicia Hollowell – Arizona, 2003-06
Tracy Compton – UCLA, 1982-85
Katie Burkhart – Arizona State 2005-08
Lisa Longaker – UCLA, 1987-1990
Amanda Freed – UCLA, 1999-2002
COACH OF THE CENTURY
Mike Candrea – Arizona, 1986-Present
PITCHER OF THE CENTURY
Lisa Fernandez – UCLA, 1990-93
PLAYER OF THE CENTURY
Lisa Fernandez – UCLA, 1990-93
