May 11, 2010
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell softball’s Alex MacLean (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area) was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Year and became one of four Bison to earn all-league honors, the Patriot League announced on Tuesday. Jessie Snyder (Tacoma, Wash./Stadium) and Lauren Fry (South Plainfield, N.J./South Plainfield) were voted First Team All-Patriot League, while MacLean and Shelly McCormack (Humble, Texas/Kingwood) were second team selections. Fry’s honor is the second of her career, while the others are making their first ever appearance on the all-league lists.
MacLean became just the second Bison to be named the league’s Rookie of the Year, joining teammate Fry who earned the award in 2008. The current freshman leads the team with a 2.75 ERA, 12 complete games and three shutouts. She also has a squad-best 71 strikeouts in 96.2 innings pitched.
MacLean claimed a bit of Bucknell history on April 21 when she became the first Bison to pitch a no-hitter since hall of famer Sharon Nichols in 1991. The weather-shortened game against La Salle ended in a scoreless tie after five innings and earned MacLean her second Patriot League Pitcher of the Week honor of the season. Despite the no-decision against the Explorers, MacLean will take a 9-4 record into the Patriot League Tournament later this week.
Fry, who was also a first team selection as a freshman, made her second appearance on the list after leading Bucknell in a number of offensive categories, including batting average (.400), runs (39), hits (48), doubles (10) and triples (5). The junior outfielder also set a single-season program record this year with 27 walks.
In Patriot League action, Fry ranks among the top three in batting average, runs scored, hits and triples. She also sits toward the top of the rankings in total bases and slugging and on-base percentage.
Snyder earns her first career all-league nod, hitting .267 and starting 39 of 40 games at second base. The junior is tied for second in Patriot League action in triples with and has sole possession of the number two spot in assists on the season. Snyder also has 16 RBI this spring.
The honor is the second in as many weeks for Snyder. She was also voted ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District II Second Team last Thursday.
Rounding out Bucknell’s all-league selections was McCormack at the designated player position. The senior earned her first career postseason honor after hitting a personal-best .340 at the plate this spring. Her 23 RBI and eight doubles crushed her previous career-highs, while the Texas native also recorded her first triple and home run in the Orange and Blue this season. McCormack also spent time at first base where she posted a .994 fielding percentage.
All-league teams and major awards are decided by a vote of Patriot League head coaches who cannot vote for their own athletes.
At 24-17-1 this season, Bucknell has recorded its first winning season since 1996. The Bison will try to continue its success at the Patriot League Tournament May 13-15. With an 11-9 league tally, Bucknell qualified for its third consecutive tournament appearance, claiming the third seed. The team will take on No. 2 Lehigh on Thursday in the double-elimination tournament, hosted by Army at West Point, N.Y. Game times have yet to be determined.
First-Team All-Patriot League
Shawna Bleyl, Army, P, So.
Tiffany Curtis, Lehigh, P, Sr.
Nicole Siedhof, Colgate, C, Jr.
Julie Fernandez, Lehigh, 1B, So.
Jessie Snyder, Bucknell, 2B, Jr.
Jen Colquhoun, Lehigh, SS, So.
Stephanie Hartquist, Colgate, 3B, So.
Tiffany Held, Army, OF, Fr.
Lauren Fry, Bucknell, OF, Jr.
Amanda Audette, Holy Cross, OF, Sr.
Sam Fregenti, Holy Cross, DP, Fr.
Kasey Karr, Lafayette, U, Sr.
Second-Team All-Patriot League
Alex MacLean, Bucknell, P, Fr.
Rebecca Bliss, Lehigh, P, Fr.
Erin McClain, Army, C, Sr.
Alexis AuBuchon, Army, 1B, So.
Tiffany Medwid, Holy Cross, SS, Jr.
Alex Cueva, Lehigh, 3B, Jr.
Alana Dyson, Colgate, OF, Fr.
Keeley Seniuk, Holy Cross, OF, Jr.
Rosie Roessel, Lehigh, OF, Fr.
Shelly McCormack, Bucknell, DP, Sr.
Caitlin Belanger, Holy Cross, U, Jr.
Patriot League Player of the Year
Julie Fernandez, Lehigh
Patriot League Pitcher of the Year
Tiffany Curtis, Lehigh
Patriot League Rookie of the Year
Alex MacLean, Bucknell
Patriot League Coach of the Year
Michelle DePolo, Army