Stacey Nuveman - UCLA Bruins

UCLA Bruins

1997 Nuveman-Deniz began her career in honors by earning National Fastpitch Coaches Association First Team All-American, Pac-10 First Team and "Newcomer of The Year" awards. She also immediately impacted the school record book by notching new season records for home runs and RBIs, while placing third in both batting average and hits for her freshman campaign.

Beginning February 15 through April 9, Nuveman-Deniz went on a career and then school record 28 consecutive games hitting streak.

The Bruins made it into the Women's College World Series where Nuveman-Deniz made the All-Tournament Team and in the finale had her 6th tournament hit vs. eventual champion Nancy Evans of the Arizona Wildcats.

1999 After red-shirting the 1998 season, Nuveman-Deniz again garnered season honors that included Pac-10 "Player of The Year" and Diamond Sports "Catcher of The Year". Nuveman-Deniz led the Bruins with new school records for home runs (31), RBIs (91), walks (61) and slugging percentage (1.016%). The home runs and RBIs were the NCAA year's best, are the all-time Sophomore Class records as well as ranking second for a season all-time. Her .446 batting average was a UCLA top-5 record. She also was just the second player in conference history to garner the Triple Crown for best average, RBI and home run totals.

On February 19, Nuveman-Deniz hit a single game career high 5 hits and drove in 5 RBIs vs. the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine. The very next day, she bettered her game RBIs by nabbing one more (6) vs. the Pacific Tigers for another career best. In defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils on April 11, Nuveman-Deniz walked 4 times for her single game best. Later that month, Nuveman-Deniz was named National Fastpitch Coaches Association "National Player of The Week" after hitting .833 and driving in 11 runs with 4 home runs.

In May, the sophomore's record season continued when the Bruin hit her 50th career home run off Michelle Harrison of the Minnesota Gophers in just two seasons of play. At the WCWS, Nuveman-Deniz would hit a walk off double against the DePaul Blue Demons to send UCLA into the finals vs. the Washington Huskies. Nuveman-Deniz and team emerged national champions, defeating Jennifer Spediacci and Jamie Graves 3-2 on May 31.

2001 Returning from a role with the 2000 Olympic team, Nuveman-Deniz earned her third First Team All-American, First Team Pac-10 and second Pac-10 "Player of The Year" and Diamond Sports "Catcher of The Year" honors. She broke her own walks record with 69 and set the intentionals at 28, an NCAA record at the time. Her home runs and RBIs were second all-time at UCLA.

Nuveman-Deniz made her third appearance in the WCWS championship on May 28 but suffered a shutout by MVP Jennie Finch.

2002 For a final time, Nuveman-Deniz earned all-season honors and added a newly awarded USA Softball Collegiate Player of The Year to her collection. Nuveman-Deniz would solidify the UCLA Bruins season batting average and walks records at .529 and 77 respectively, leading the NCAA and ranking top-10 all-time for a season with the average. Her hits, RBIs and home run totals for the senior were all top-10 records for UCLA. She also owned then school records for slugging and on base percentage, both of which still rank second all-time. The slugging is also third all-time for an NCAA season.

With a perfect day at the plate (3/3) in defeating the Long Beach State 49ers on February 23, Nuveman-Deniz drove in her 200th career RBI.

On April 29, Nuveman-Deniz was named "Player of The Week" for a second time by the NFCA by hitting over .650 with 5 RBIs and three extra base hits for a slugging 1.018%. On May 4, the Bruin launched her 86th career home run vs. Kristen Hunter and the Oregon State Beavers. She topped former Arizona Wildcats Laura Espinoza and Leah Braatz for the crown. Two days later, she earned a third "Player of the Week," this selection improving her slugging to 1.571%.

Though eliminated earlier than was usual, Nuveman-Deniz was named a WCWS All-Tournament selectee for a second tournament.

Nuveman-Deniz finished her college career in ownership of school records in batting average, RBIs, home runs, hits, doubles, walks (including intentional), slugging and on base percentage. Only the hits and doubles have been surpassed. Career batting average ranks 5th all-time (second for a four-year career) and her home run, slugging and intentional walks remain the NCAA standard. Lastly, she owns at least 5 Pac-10 career records.

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