(05-12-08)
BROOKVILLE, N.Y. -- After an amazing run in the 2008 NCAA Division II Softball Northeast Regional Championships, the University of New Haven placed three players on the All-Tournament team. Breanne Gleason, Nicole Downs and Jessica Medina (photos l-r) led the way for the Chargers as they finished runners-up in the eight team tournament. The second-place finish is the furthest an UNH softball team has gone in a Regional Championship.
Breanne Gleason gets the nod for her pitching efforts over the five-day tournament as she went 4-2 overall in 33.1 innings of work. She took the first and last losses of the tournament, both to C.W. Post, but was impressive in-between with four straight victories. During the run through the consolation bracket, Gleason allowed only one run to score, which was unearned. She struck out 38 batters and had an ERA of 2.10 while collecting three shutout victories.
As she has done all season, sophomore shortstop Nicole Downs lead the way at the plate for the Chargers as she hit a team-high .412 in the Regional Tournament. Downs lead UNH in virtually every hitting category with team-highs in slugging percentage (.647), on base percentage (474), and in hits with seven. She also shared team-highs in doubles (1), home runs (1), and runs batted in (4). Downs' eleven total bases also lead the Chargers and she came around to score three times during the championships.
Third baseman Jessica Medina grabs a spot on the All-Tournament team as she was second on the squad with a .294 batting average during the championships. Medina hit a solo homerun in the 2-0 defeat of nationally ranked Georgian Court in an elimination game to start the Chargers streak. Medina had five hits including the home run and drove in two runs. She scored twice and was second to Downs with a .368 on base percentage.
The Chargers will have all three of these players back for the 2009 season as they will look to advance even further in the NCAA Division II Softball Championships.
2008 NCAA Division II Softball Championship
Northeast Regional All-Tournament Team
Pitcher: Breanne Gleason, New Haven
Pitcher: Samantha Yodowitz, C.W. Post
Catcher: Brittni Frantellizzi, Caldwell
Infield: Nicole Downs, New Haven
Infield: Holly Eringis, C.W. Post
Infield: Jessica Vogt, Adelphi
Infield: Katie Younes, C.W. Post
Outfield: Melissa Medina, C.W. Post
Outfield: Danielle VanGorder, LeMoyne
Outfield: Sarah Reed, LeMoyne
Designated Player: Stephanie Mirando, Bryant
At-Large: Jessica Medina (IF), New Haven
At-Large: Diana DiPiano (IF), Adelphi
Most Outstanding Player: Melissa Medina (OF), C.W. Post
