NFCA Release

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association released its Division III All-Region selections on Monday afternoon with 360 players from around the country being named in the release. The Ithaca College softball team had four players garner recognition from the association as All-Northeast Region selections, with one honoree on both the First Team and Third Team and a pair of selection on the Second Team.
 
Ithaca's lone First Team honoree was sophomore pitcher Haley Congdon, who makes the double-dip after being named an Empire 8 All-Conference First Team selection this past week. Junior Allie Colleran and sophomore Vanessa Brown were selected to the All-Region Second Team, while fellow second-year player Alex Wright was a Third Team honoree. The Bombers were one of 16 program's to have four selections, while 11 other programs posted five-plus players.
 
Congdon posted an excellent second season on South Hill, going 16-6 in the circle during her sophomore campaign, which included a 1-1 record at this past weekend's NCAA Regional Round. The talented second-year hurler had a breakout season stepping into a large role as the team's top starter. Congdon paced the squad with a team-best 1.50 ERA on the year. She fired 15 complete games and tossed a career-best 154.0 innings over 30 total appearances in the circle on the year.
 
Her peripheral numbers were superb, striking out 116 batters and limiting opponents to a .186 batting average. Congdon's walks-and-hits allowed per inning pitched (WHIP) was a strong 1.175 on the season. The sophomore also earned a spot on the Empire 8 All-Tournament and the All-Conference First Team. The postseason accolades along with the All-Region announcement marks the first year-end recognitions for Congdon in her burgeoning collegiate career.
 
Brown adds another feather in her cap after posting another stellar season in her second year on South Hill. A year after being named Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, she continued to blister opposition pitching, leading the team with a .411 batting average, 62 hits and tying for the team lead with 33 RBI. Brown posted a .570 slugging percentage, rapping 13 doubles, one triple, and three home runs. She also scored a team-best 40 runs scored. Like Congdon, Brown also earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team after going 10-for-15 with six runs scored, two RBI and a home run.
 
Brown was named an Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team selection for the second consecutive season this past week. The All-Region honor is the first of Brown's career.
 
Colleran also was named an All-Region Second Team honoree after another fantastic year that unfortunately was cut short just before the Empire 8 Conference Tournament due to injury. She hit .345 with 38 hits and 20 RBI during her junior season. She paced the squad with six home runs and added seven doubles, providing serious pop from the leadoff spot during the year. The junior was named an Empire 8 All-Conference First Team honoree for the second time during her career, while the All-Region honor is the first of her career.
 
Wright also played a big role in the middle of the order for the Bombers in 2017. Batting cleanup in Ithaca's potent lineup, she finished the year with a .352 batting average, posting 50 hits in 142 at-bats. The lefty had plenty of pop, lacing nine doubles, two homers and a team-high three triples during the season. She tied for first on the team with 33 RBI, while she crossed the plate herself 24 times during the year.  She was an Empire 8 All-Conference First Team selection for the first time during her career, while the All-Region Third Team also marked her first year-end accolade from the NFCA.