FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5-6-04

Four AASU Softball Players Earn First-Team NFCA All-South Atlantic Region Honors

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Four AASU softball players earned first-team NFCA All-South Atlantic Region honors, announced on Thursday afternoon at the South Atlantic Regional in Kennesaw, Ga. Two other players earned second-team All-Region honors, giving AASU the maximum of six honorees on the squads.

Senior designated player Stacey Richardson (.363, 10 HR, 42 RBI) and junior second baseman Stacy Oliver (.394, 1 HR, 18 RBI) earned All-Region honors for the third time, while senior pitcher Katya Eronina (31-1, 0.23 ERA) and senior catcher Kissy Stepanova (.317, 5 HR, 31 RBI) earned the honor for the second time each. As first-team honorees, the four will advance to national balloting for All-America honors. Richardson has been an NFCA second team All-America twice while Eronina earned first-team All-America honors in 2003.

Senior outfielder Valeria Silvestrini (.413, 2 HR, 19 RBI) and junior first baseman Amanda Kort (.371, 2 HR, 17 RBI) earned second-team All-Region honors as well. Both are All-Region honorees for the first time in their careers.

The No. 8-ranked Pirates are currently in action in the NCAA South Atlantic Regional for the fourth time in seven seasons.

- Pirates -