Empire 8 Places 16 on NFCA All-Region Teams
Sixteen Empire 8 Athletic Conference student-athletes were named to the 2013 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Northeast All-Region softball teams. Of the 16 E8 players selected, eight were chosen for First Team honors.
Leanne Merchant played in all 48 games for St. John Fisher College. The catcher racked up 53 hits with 34 RBI, 28 runs scored and 26 bases on balls.
Kayla Goodberlet was one of the Cardinal forces, owning a .359 batting average. Her 44 RBI were a team high as she also totaled 56 hits, 10 homeruns and 39 runs scored.
Sarah Stefanon established herself as one of the top pitchers in the nation through her performances this season. The Perry native pitched in 36 of Fisher's 38 games, posting a 24-7 record. Stefanon struck out 290 batters total this season and posted an ERA of 0.91 and a .181 batting average against.
Sarah Fordyce led the Cardinals with 58 hits and second with 43 RBI. Her .759 slugging percentage, 13 home runs and 110 total bases are top on the team. The first baseman totaled a batting average of .400, an on base percentage of .462 and 325 putouts.
Utica sophomore Courtney Fitzgerald batted .373 (56-for-150) with a school record 44 RBIs. Her slugging percentage of .653 ranked second on the team as she finished the season with ten doubles and ten homeruns.
Freshman shortstop Alysa Rusell led Utica with 60 hits and she ranked second on the team with a .424 batting average. She scored 36 and batted in 35 RBIs.
Sophomore Christy Traglia batted .368 and was a perfect 14-for-14 in stolen base attempts in 47 games. She led the Pioneers with 37 runs scored and finished with 32 putouts and one assist from the outfield.
Francesca Busa batted .349 and led Ithaca with 38 runs and was second with 51 hits. She was also part of a Bomber defense that turned 20 double plays.
The first team selections are now eligible for All-American status. Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America honors will be announced on Thursday, May 16 at the championship banquet in Eau Claire, Wisconsin prior to the start of the 2013 NCAA Division III World Series.
First Team
P – Sarah Stefanon, St. John Fisher
C - Leanne Merchant, St. John Fisher
1B - Sarah Fordyce, St. John Fisher
3B - Kayla Goodberlet, St. John Fisher
SS - Alysa Russell, Utica
OF - Christy Traglia, Utica
DP - Courtney Fitzgerald, Utica
AL - Francesca Busa, Ithaca (SS)
Second Team
2B - Dominique Carcone, Utica
OF - Jennifer Biondi, Ithaca
OF - Chelsea Monore, Utica
AL - Syndey Folk, Ithaca (1B)
AL - Julianne Vincent (2B)
Third Team
AL- Abby Monore, Utica (P)
AL - Rachel Dell'Orto, Ithaca (OF)
AL - Jessica Smyrski, St. John Fisher (OF)