Softball Nets Five NFCA All-Region Nominations
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 16, 2014) - On Thursday, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association announced the 2014 NFCA Division II All-Region teams with five members of the LIU Post softball team making the cut.
The Pioneers were one of six teams in the nation to boast at least five members on their respective All-Region squads. Leading the way on the first team were senior pitcher Liz Weber (Brightwaters, N.Y.), junior catcher Aly Dzierzynski (Deer Park, N.Y.), senior shortstop Nicole Hagenah (Commack, N.Y.), and senior center fielder Alexis Gonzalez (Hauppauge, N.Y.). Sophomore designated player Paige Swantek (Smithtown, N.Y.) was also recognized with second-team honors.
The East Coast Conference and Daktronics East Region Player of the Year, Dzierzynski led the Pioneers to a 41-7 regular-season record, and an overall mark of 48-8 heading into a Super Regional match-up against ninth-ranked and second-seeded Caldwell. She set new single-season program records with 24 home runs, 74 RBIs, 165 total bases, 39 extra-base hits and a .932 slugging percentage. The junior also leads the team with a .435 batting average, 77 hits and a .495 on-base clip.
After being named the East Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year, Weber was selected to both the Daktronics and NFCA All-Region first-team. The senior led the green and gold in the circle with a record of 24-3. Her 1.94 ERA was tops in the conference as she surrendered just 42 earned runs over 151.2 innings of work. During the NCAA East Sub-Regional Tournament, Weber was 2-0 on the rubber with a 1.33 ERA. She limited opposing hitters to a .184 batting average against, including a two-hit complete-game shutout in a 1-0 win over Wilmington.
A staple in the Pioneer outfield this season, Gonzalez earned both NFCA and Daktronics All-East Region honors while also being named to the All-ECC first-team. The Hauppauge native paces the team with four triples, and is currently second with 18 long balls, 66 RBIs, 58 runs scored, 28 walks, 140 total bases and a .778 slugging percentage. Meanwhile, her 67 hits and 11 doubles are good for fourth on the team.
A Daktronics All-Region second-team selection, Hagenah was chosen to the NFCA First-Team. Hagenah has etched her name in the Pioneer record books this year, setting a new single-season high for runs scored (63), to go along with career marks for runs scored (206), walks (109), total bases (482), on-base percentage (.491) and slugging percentage (.687). In addition, she has the opportunity to break the career records for hits (294), doubles (56), RBIs (216) and home runs (48).
Swantek had a brilliant sophomore season at the plate. She hit .322 with 58 hits in 180 at-bats. 19 of her hits went for extra bases, with 9 of them being home runs. Additionally, Swantek compiled a .533 slugging percentage and drove in 37 runs in 56 starts. The Smithtown native also led the team with 4 sacrifice flies on the season.