Setterlund Headlines America East Softball Award Winners
May 7, 2008 | Softball
May 7, 2008
Second-Seeded Terriers Set for Stony Brook in AE Tournament
ALBANY, N.Y. - Freshman April Setterlund has been named the 2008 America East Rookie of the Year, headlining nine Boston University softball players who earned all-conference accolades, as announced at the league's annual banquet on Wednesday evening in Albany, N.Y. BU placed three athletes on the America East All-Conference First Team, four on the second team and three on the all-rookie team for a total of ten honors - more than any other school in the league.
Setterlund was bestowed the honor after hitting .363 over 50 contests with 12 doubles, 14 RBI and 14 stolen bases. She is one two-bagger away from tying a single-season school record. In conferences games, the Torrance, Calif. native, hit .400 with a team-high seven doubles, while driving in seven runs and stealing six bases. As the Terriers' leadoff hitter, Setterlund has earned an impressive .433 on-base percentage, crossing home plate a team-best 34 times.
Joining Setterlund on the America East All-Conference First Team are juniors Melissa Dubay and Shayne Lotito. Dubay, who from Feb. 29 to April 2 had a 20-game hit streak, finished the regular season with a .359 batting average and held team highs in home runs (7) and RBI (31). This is her second consecutive appearance on the first team. Lotito, known for her speed along the base paths, swiped 18 bags in 2008 and was caught only once. She is currently hitting .311 over 50 games with six home runs and 22 RBI.
Earning second-team honors were sophomore hurler Cassidi Hardy, junior Christy Leath, sophomore Rachel Hebert and senior Tyler Benson. Hardy amassed 14 wins in the circle and owns a 2.31 ERA. She has struck out 124 batters in 26 appearances while holding opponents to a .200 batting average. Leath hit .240 in 49 games and broke a single-season school record for walks (36) to rank 14th nationally in that category. Hebert, the 2007 Rookie of the Year, batted .252 with three home runs - including a grand slam - and collected 25 RBI. The Humble, Texas native has stolen eight bases and hit eight doubles. Benson saw action as the Terriers' designated player and hit .211 in 31 games with seven RBI and one double.
Setterlund, Melanie Delgado and Kelley Engman all earned spots on the all-rookie squad and made an immediate impact on the team as starters. Delgado started every game of the 2008 campaign, hitting .218 with five doubles, one home run, 15 RBI and three stolen bases. The second baseman was also strong on defense with a .973 fielding percentage. Engman made 25 appearances in the circle and owns a 3.30 ERA and a 6-6 record. She has struck out 53 batters and thrown two shutouts.
In addition to their athletic accomplishments, Leath and Benson earned all-academic honors for earning a 3.20 GPA or higher.
The second-seeded Terriers will face off with No. 3 Stony Brook on Thursday, May 8 at 3:30 p.m. in the opening round of the 2008 America East Championship.
