ITHACA, N.Y. -- Ithaca College softball coach Deb Pallozzi has been named the Ithaca Journal's Kenny Van Sickle Award winner as 2011's top female coach. Pallozzi is a three-time winner of the award after also winning in 2001 and 2002. Only one person -- Ithaca College field hockey and softball coach Doris Kostrinsky -- has won the award more often; current Bomber women's soccer coach Mindy Quigg is also a three-time winner. Three other current Ithaca head coaches -- volleyball's Janet Donovan, swimming & diving coach Paula Miller and crew's Becky Robinson -- are former winners of the Female Coach of the Year.

The Bombers finished 30-14 last season (recording the program's 22nd consecutive winning season). Ithaca won the Empire 8 regular-season title and reached the NCAA playoffs for the 24th time -- the most of any school. In December Pallozzi became just the seventh Division III coach inducted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

She has posted a 651-271-1 record over 23 seasons.