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Abbie Sims, who enters her first year as an assistant coach with the Cougars, became the first-ever NC State softball player to be named ACC Player of the Year in 2007, had an impressive senior campaign as she tossed four no-hitters, including a perfect game. She owned the second-best pitching record (27-7) in the conference as well as one of the top marks in the nation. In addition, Sims is one of five pitchers in ACC history to have collected 1,000 or more career strikeouts (1,091). A native of Artesia, N.M., she also saw action as an outfielder for the Wolfpack, compiling a .292 batting average with 45 hits, 25 runs scored, 11 home runs and 27 RBIs on the year. One of two ACC student-athletes to receive national player of the week recognition in 2007, Sims was tabbed by USA Softball (March 20) and Louisville Slugger/NFCA (April 22). She was also the only student-athlete named ACC Player of the Week four times this season. In 2007, Sims made her third appearance as an All-ACC First-Team member, garnishing accolades in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Sims finished her career at NC State as the active leader in career victories among all league hurlers and fourth all-time in wins by ACC pitchers with 90. With 1,091 strikeouts, Sims placed fourth all-time among ACC pitchers. Additionally, Sims' 102 complete games ranks fifth all-time and was tops among active pitchers in 2007. Her pitching prowess was never more obvious than when she tossed a no-hitter over No. 6 Oklahoma at the Judi Garman Classic March 16 in Fullerton, Calif. The Sooners entered the game as the nation's top offensive unit overall, leading the country in scoring and batting average, and ranked near the top of nearly every hitting statistic. None of that mattered to Sims, however, who allowed just four base runners while striking out 10 batters. As Sims departed the Wolfpack she owned many of the program's all-time pitching records, including lowest career ERA (1.69), lowest opponent batting average (.179), most wins (90), saves (5), appearances (146), starts (121), complete games (102), games finished (25), shutouts (36), innings pitched (836.2), strikeouts (1,091) and batters faced (3,491). Since graduating with a degree in business management, Sims has been competing with the Rockford Thunder of the National Pro Fastpitch league in Rockford, Ill. |
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