Columbia, Mo. – Seniors Olivia Galati, Tessa Ziemba, Jess Hirschbuhl and freshman Caryn Bailey were named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Northeast Region first-team while sophomore Erin Trippi and senior Becca Bigler were selected to the all-second team, the NFCA announced today.
Galati (West Babylon, N.Y.) was an All-Northeast selection for the fourth time after posting a 37-10 record with a 1.39 ERA into the NCAA Columbia Regional which begins on Friday when the Pride takes on Oregon State at 4 p.m. Eastern time from Missouri's University Field.
Galati leads the country in strikeouts with 374 (in 307 innings) while logging a Division I-best 20 shutouts as part of 44 complete games. After gaining first-team All-America honors as a junior in 2012, Galati will attempt to make the team again when the 2013 All-America selections are announced on May 29. The right-hander is a four-time Colonial Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year.
Hofstra put two outfielders on the all-region first-team for the second straight season. Ziemba (Wilmington, Del.) notched her second consecutive selection to the team after leading the Pride in slugging percentage (.703), runs scored (43) while hitting a career-high 13 home runs. In her first season as a centerfielder, Ziemba has provided strong defense while leading Hofstra with 12 multi-RBI games and hitting .342.
Bailey was named to the first-team All-CAA last week and picked up a regional accolade before her freshman season has been completed. The Elizabethtown, Pa. native will enter her first NCAA Tournament with momentum as Hofstra's leading hitter (.373 average) while adding eight home runs and 39 RBIs. Bailey has made just one error despite starting all 54 games and the right-fielder has shown great range and a strong throwing arm in picking up an outfield assist. Bailey and Ziemba are tied for the team lead in multi-hit games with 17.
Hirschbuhl has produced a great comeback season. After an arm injury limited her to 13 games in 2012, Hirschbuhl took a medical redshirt and came back to learn a new position as the team's third baseman. The Jamison, Pa. product has been a super-dependable player, starting all 54 games while hitting .345 with a career-high seven home runs and 34 RBIs. In the field, she has handled all but three chances at the hot corner. After picking up All-CAA first-team honors, Hirschbuhl now has garnered her first NFCA all-region award.
Trippi made the all-second team for the second consecutive season. The Lyndhurst, N.J. product was selected last year as a designated player. This season Trippi made it as a catcher after starting all 54 games behind the plate. She caught all five of Galati's no-hitters (including three perfect games) while posting a .993 fielding percentage and throwing out 10 base-runners attempting to steal. She also has provided high-level production at a premium position in hitting .340 with three home runs and 26 RBIs. Despite her running-producing abilities, Trippi has also been patient at the plate in recording a .403 on-base percentage.
Bigler (Bainbridge, Pa.) was named to her first career all-region team and enters NCAA Tournament play hitting .294 while tying her career high with 11 home runs first set last season. Bigler drove in 38 runs with the shortstop carrying a .573 slugging percentage into Friday.
