Former area softball star snamed as Player of the Year finalists

Five former area stars were named to the 50-player USA Softball Player of the Year preseason watch list this week.

Former Camarillo High shortstop Cambria Miranda (Oregon State) headlines the group, which also includes former Royal of Simi Valley pitcher/first baseman Becca Heteniak (DePaul), former Saugus High catcher Tiffany Huff (Tennessee), former Louisville of Woodland Hills infielder Annie Kinsey (Pennsylvania) and former Calabasas High catcher Sam Marder (Ohio State).

Miranda, the Daily News Player of the Year in 2003, was a second team All-American last year after hitting .328 with 10 doubles, 11 home runs, six triples and a .602 slugging percentage. She was first team All American as a sophomore.

Two UCLA players -- senior pitcher Anjelica Selden and senior outfielder Krista Colburn -- were also selected.

Selden and Miranda are among the favorites to win the award, along with Arizona pitcher Taryne Mowatt, Michigan first baseman Samantha Findlay, Texas A&M pitcher Amanda Scarborough, and Arizona State outfielder Katie Cochran.