Winkler becomes the fourth Sacramento State softball player to earn All-American honors since the program joined the Div. I ranks in 1990. She joins former Hornets Susie Bugliarello (second team in 1995 and 1996, third team in 1997), Tami Blunt (second team in 1993) and Terrie Cissna (second team in 1992).

Winkler was voted as one of the top six outfielders in the nation as three outfielders were named to both the first and second teams. Other outfielders named All-American included first teamers Sarah Fekete (Tennessee), Katie Cochran (Arizona State) and Danyele Gomez (Louisiana-Lafayette), and second teamers Norelle Dickson (Oklahoma) and Kellie Middleton (Georgia). A total of 18 players were named to both the first and second teams.

Winkler was named first team all-region two weeks ago, becoming the first Hornet to earn the honor since 1997. In addition, Winkler’s conference player of the year award marked the first time a Sacramento State softball player had earned league MVP honors during the Div. I era.

The San Andreas, Calif., native just concluded a 2006 season in which she set six school records. Winkler established Sacramento State Div. I season records in batting average (.434), longest hitting streak (18 games), runs (47), hits (76), doubles (17) and stolen bases (11). Her batting average was 40 points better than any other player in the PCSC and ranked as the 12th-best mark in the nation. She also led or was tied for the conference lead in runs, hits, doubles, triples (5) and stolen bases. Her average of 0.31 doubles per game ranked as the 27th-best mark in the nation.

She hit safely in 47 of 55 games this season and batted .462 against conference opposition with a .527 on-base percentage. Winkler, who was the only Hornet to start all 55 games this season, did not commit an error all year and had just five miscues during her entire career. A career .358 hitter and a four-time all-conference selection, Winkler started all but two games during her four-year tenure with the Hornets, and owns school records in career batting average, hits (262), runs (140), stolen bases (32), games started (222), triples (17) and at-bats (732).

Winkler played a large role in Sacramento State completing a season in which the team posted a 35-20 overall record and a 14-6 mark in the PCSC. The Hornets, who recorded the most wins since the 1995 season, were narrowly edged by Portland State (15-5) for the conference championship and an automatic berth into the NCAA Regionals. In fact, Sacramento State swept Portland State in a four-game series on May 6-7, but the Vikings won three makeup games against Loyola Marymount the following week to overtake the Hornets for the league title.

Winkler was also instrumental in the success of the Sacramento State softball program over the last four years. In the three seasons prior to Winkler’s arrival, the Hornets were a combined 60-100. Since her freshman year (2003), however, Sacramento State combined for a 127-97 record, including four-consecutive 30-win seasons.