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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Two California Golden Bears were named to the 2001 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA)/Louisville Slugger All-American team that was announced Wednesday at the annual Women’s College World Series banquet in Oklahoma City, Okla. Sophomore first baseman Veronica Nelson was awarded first-team at-large (first base) honors while junior pitcher Jocelyn Forest was named to the second team.  

Nelson, who was also awarded first-team All-Pac-10 and second-team All-Pacific Region, leads the Bears in many offensive categories - batting average (.352), RBI (50), home runs (18) and slugging percentage (.772). In addition to her offensive prowess, Nelson also broke her own NCAA single-season walk record last Sunday versus the Florida StateSeminoles in the regional championship, when she drew a walk for the 88th time, breaking her old record of 87 in 2000. Nelson is the first Cal player since Gillian Boxx (1992-1995) and Michele Granger (1989-1993) earned first-team honors in 1993.  

Forest, who was also named to the first-team All-Pac-10 and second-team All-Pacific Region, led the Cal pitching staff with a 27-8 record, 0.72 ERA and a conference-best 350 strikeouts. Her ERA is the lowest of any Bear pitcher since Granger recorded a 0.50 ERA in 1993.  

Cal, the eighth seed in the WCWS, begins play today at 8 a.m., when it takes on the top-seeded Arizona Wildcats. The game will be televised live on ESPN2.