Jan. 17, 2013

BERKELEY - Former Cal softball star Valerie Arioto has been named the 2012 USA Softball Female Athlete of the Year.

Arioto, a three-time All-American for the Bears who led Cal to the College World Series last season, guided Team USA to the World Cup Championship and a silver medal at the Canadian Open Championship and International Softball Federation Women's World Championship in her second season with the national team. She was named the most valuable player of the Canadian Open after hitting five home runs and tallying 13 RBI during the event.

In 24 games, Arioto led Team USA with 11 home runs, 37 RBI, 27 runs scored, a 1.115 slugging percentage and .611 on-base percentage. In 24 games, she batted .462 with 11 home runs, 37 RBI and 27 runs scored.

During her senior season at Cal last year, Arioto batted .365 with 23 home runs, 60 RBI and a .626 hitting percentage. Her home run total was a Pac-12 single-season record. She also won the Senior CLASS Award, given annually to the top senior student-athlete in the nation.