CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Feb. 3, 2015) - Senior Aly Dzierzynski (Deer Park, N.Y.) and sophomore Ashley Martin (Long Beach, N.Y.) were named the 2015 East Coast Conference Preseason Player and Co-Pitcher of the Year, respectively, on Tuesday. The Pioneers also topped the ECC Preseason Poll, in a nearly unanimous decision.

The green and gold are the overwhelming favorite once again, receiving seven out of eight first-place votes for the second year in a row. In 2014, LIU Post boasted a 50-11 record, swept the ECC regular-season and tournament championships, and won the NCAA East Region title to make its fourth appearance in the Division II National Championship. The 2015 Pioneers, who came in at No. 7 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Preseason Top-25 Poll, have six starting position players and three of four pitchers who saw time in the circle back on the roster, including preseason honorees Dzierzynski and Martin.

Dzierzynski had arguably one of the best seasons in conference history, en route to earning the ECC Player of the Year honor in 2014. She led the league in numerous offensive categories, including hits (85), home runs (25), RBI (77) and total bases (176). Additionally, the Deer Park native finished in the Top-5 in the ECC in runs scored (48), walks (21), batting average (.438), on-base percentage (.495) and slugging percentage (.907). Her home run and RBI totals ranked in the Top-5 of Division II, as well.

In addition to her exceptional hitting numbers, Dzierzynski was a standout behind the plate. She finished first in the ECC last season by throwing out 14 runners attempting to steal. As a result of her efforts, Dzierzynski was recognized as the Daktronics East Region Player of the Year and earned a spot on both the Daktronics and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America first-team rosters. ECC coaches aren't the only ones expecting another big year from Dzierzynski in 2015, as she was recently one of 50 players from across Division II named to the NFCA National Player of the Year Watch List.
 
Martin was another huge part of the Pioneers' success last year and begins the 2015 campaign as one of two to be named the Preseason Pitcher of the Year. In her freshman season, Martin was a three-time ECC Rookie of the Week and an All-ECC second-team selection. In 29 appearances (19 starts), she compiled a 16-2 record, ranking second in the conference in wins. She also finished in the Top-5 on the ECC leaderboard with a 2.53 earned-run average and 86 strikeouts.

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Head Coach Jamie Apicella and the Pioneers begin their 2015 campaign on Sunday, Mar. 1, when they travel to Garden City to take on non-conference opponent Adelphi in a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.