Wellesley Lands Four Players on NFCA All-New England Region Team (5/6/08)

The National Fastpitch Coaches' Association (NFCA) recently announced their All-New England Region team. Four Wellesley softball team members were amongst softball players in the region named to this team. Senior pitcher, Jenna Harvey and Sophomore left fielder, Megan Wood, earned first-team regional nods while Senior catcher, Kara Wong, and Junior utility player, Amanda Tai, earned a spot on the regional third-team.

Harvey's appearance on New England Regional team marks her third time on the list; during her 2007 campaign she also earned First-Team recognition. Harvey topped statistical charts this season as she tossed four no-hitters, collected 238 total strikeouts, had a 0.55 ERA, and a 16-win and 3-loss record. She is tops in NCAA DIII in most strikeouts recorded on average per game, ranks second in fewest hits allowed per seven innings, and sits at the number three spot in all of DIII with her Earned Run Average. Harvey was named the NEWMAC Player and Pitcher of the Year a week ago.

Wood was a Third-Team NFCA All-New England Region selection following the 2006-2007 softball season and made an appearance on the First-Team this year. Currently, she is batting a .361 clip for Wellesley, and her slugging and on-base percentages are tops on the team, .602 and .459 respectively. Wood has collected three doubles, one triple, five homeruns (a team best), 18 RBIs, and has been flawless defensively with a 1.000 fielding percentage in 28 games thus far. In addition to NFCA Regional honors, Wood has appeared on the All-NEWMAC team twice.

Wong, appearing on the NFCA All-Region time for her third time, leads Wellesley with 28 RBIs this season, and her 33 hits are third-best on the team. At the plate, the senior captain, has hit four homeruns, five doubles, and one triple. She was named to the NEWMAC All-Conference team all four years as a catcher for the Blue.

This season was Tai's first-ever appearance on the NFCA All-Region Team. She currently leads Wellesley with a .365 batting average and 35 hits. Thus far, she has knocked in eight runs, stolen six bases (team leader), and has hit six doubles and one triple. Tai was also named to the All-NEWMAC Team last week.


2008 NFCA All-Region Selections (New England)

First Team

Jenna Harvey, Pitcher, Wellesley College
Shelby Slie, Pitcher, Western Connecticut State University
Krystie Denny, Catcher, Eastern Connecticut State University
Christie Lotti, First Base, Rhode Island College
Lauren Blake, Second Base, Clark University
Megan Kiefer, Third Base, Smith College
Joey Lye, Shortstop, Williams College
Ashley Sullivan, Outfield, Eastern Connecticut State University
Jacqueline Tyler, Outfield, Amherst College
Megan Wood, Outfield, Wellesley College
Stacey Kelleher, Designated Hitter, Wheaton College (MA)
Kaitlin Streilein, Utility Player, Brandeis University
Christy Tinker, At-Large, Tufts University
Michelle Wlosek, At-Large, Springfield College
Jenna Lazar, At-Large, Endicott College

Second Team

Jodi Moynagh, Pitcher, Wheaton College (MA)
Laura Bower, Pitcher, Western New England College
Meghan Sargent, Catcher, Endicott College
Rachel Denny, First Base, Eastern Connecticut State University
Kristen Lugovich, Second Base, Western Connecticut State University
Krystal Bilek, Third Base, Rhode Island College
Heather Warren, Shortstop, Clark University
Danielle Sargent, Outfield, Endicott College
Jessica Tait, Outfield, Trinity College (CT)
Alyson Durben, Outfield, Lesley University
Alysia DiMuzio, Designated Hitter, Curry College
Amanda Frederick, Utility Player, U.S. Coast Guard Academy
Katie Allenson, At-Large, Keene State College
Cara Hovhanessian, At-Large, Tufts University
Jenna Patnode, At-Large, Keene State College

Third Team

Kara Wong, At-Large, Wellesley College
Maria Mangine, At-Large, Endicott College
Alexandra Chang-Graham, At-Large, Amherst College
Courtney Romyns, At-Large, Western Connecticut State University
Meaghan Dendy, At-Large, Wesleyan University (CT)
Kayla Jandreau, At-Large, Rhode Island College
Talia Bernstein, At-Large, Wesleyan University (CT)
Amanda Perry, At-Large, Rhode Island College
Alyssa Verronneau, At-Large, Bridgewater State College
Ashlee Nicholson, At-Large, Keene State College
Melisa Cager, At-Large, Brandeis University
Natalie Volpe, At-Large, Brandeis University
Amanda Tai, At-Large, Wellesley College
Allie LeBlanc, At-Large, Bridgewater State College
Megan Cusick, At-Large, Tufts University