(06-18-08)
CAPE COD, Mass. - The ECAC announced the 2008 Softball All-Star teams today for Division I, Division II, and Division III. A total of 102 athletes were honored on either first or second All-ECAC teams. Sophomore Nicole Downs (photo) was named to the Division II First Team as the shortstop.
Downs played a huge role in the success of the Charger softball team in 2008 helping UNH to its best performance at a NCAA Northeast Regional Tournament finishing second. With the second place finish, the Chargers were one of sixteen teams remaining on the way to the 2008 NCAA Division II Softball Championships. Downs was named to the All-tournament team for her performance at the regional.
In 2008, Downs started all 50 games at the shortstop position and led the team with a .363 batting average and 31 runs scored. She also led the Chargers with 58 hits and in slugging percentage (.583) and on-base percentage (.407). Downs collected ten doubles and tied for the team lead with six home runs.
She finished the season with a team-high 17 multiple hit games and had a seven game hit streak during the year. Downs added 22 RBI's while having three multiple RBI games. She hit a career-high two home runs in a game against Augustana College on March 16 and tied career-highs with three 3-hit games and three 3-RBI games.
ECAC 2008 Division II Softball All-Stars
Player of the Year
Sarah Reed, Sr., P, Le Moyne
Pitcher of the Year
Samantha Sasko, Jr., P, Georgian Court
Rookie of the Year
Alexandra Sydor, Fr., SS, Molloy
First Team
Heather Walker, Sr., C, Georgian Court
Holly Eringis, Sr., 1B, C.W. Post
Gina Capardi, Jr., 2B, Caldwell
Tara DeMontier, Sr., 3B, American International
Nicole Downs, So., SS, New Haven
Taras Wallace, Sr., OF, Dowling
Melissa Medina, So., OF, C.W. Post
Dely Francisco, Sr., OF, Adelphi
Jessica Gogatz, Sr., UTL, St. Thomas Aquinas
Samantha Sasko, Jr., P, Georgian Court
Samantha Yodowitz, Sr., P, C.W. Post
