MAY 17, 2005
BOB ZIADIE
KOTULA, VALONIS NAMED TO NFCA EAST REGION ALL-AMERICAN TEAM
WILKES-BARRE -- King's College softball standouts Nikki Kotula and Mari Valonis have been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association East Region All-American squad as second-team selections.
Kotula was selected as a utility player while Valonis was named at first-base. The sophomore duo helped lead King's to a 34-12 record and the program's sixth straight Freedom Conference championship, along with a sixth consecutive berth in the NCAA Division III National Tournament. The Lady Monarchs advanced through the NCAA Regional Championships and came within one victory of advancing to the Division III College World Series.
Kotula excelled for the Lady Monarchs primarily as a pitcher and designated hitter during the season. On the year she batted .351 (46-131) with 11 doubles, one home run, 24 RBI and scored 29 runs. In the circle, Kotula posted a team-best 13-4 record with two saves while registering a 2.09 earned run average and a team-high 124 strikeouts in 124 innings. She pitched in 22 games with completed all 16 starts as opponents batted just .178 against her.
Valonis, who was named a first-team all-regional designated hitter in 2004, posted a .309 (43-139) batting average with eight home runs, four doubles, four triples, and a team-best .568 slugging percentage. Valonis ranks among the national leaders with 49 RBI while scoring 25 runs. In her first season at first base, Valonis had a .977 field percentage, making eight errors in 339 chances.
National Fastpitch Coaches Association East Regional Team
First Team
Pos. Name, School
P - Michelle Schlichtig, Rutgers-Camden
P - Meagan Hennessy, Moravian
C - Mo Baney, Rutgers-Camden
1B - Ashlee Keyser, Eastern University (PA)
2B - Valerie Valach, DeSales
3B - Alexis Petite, Wilkes
SS - Heather Bortz, Moravian
OF - Nadine Taylor, Wilkes
OF - Erica Moore, Ramapo
OF - Cindi Lukomski, Arcadia
DP - Laura Fencik, Arcadia
UT - Liz Sisca, William Paterson
AL - Sara Gutermuth, Gettysburg
AL - Kristen Zimmerman, College of New Jersey
AL - Athanasia Totaro, Montclair State
Second Team
Pos. Name, School
P - Laurie Agresti, Wilkes
P - Diana Schraer, William Paterson
C - Mindy Coxe, William Paterson
1B - Mari Valonis, King's College
2B - Calista Walker, Bradford
3B - Nikki Arias, William Paterson
SS - eather Bainey, Bethany
OF - Andrea Pastiglione, Ramapo
OF - Autumn Millett, Rutgers-Camden
OF - Nicole Panikiewsky, Rowan
DP - Richelle McWilliams, Moravian
UT - Nikki Kotula, King's College
AL - Monica Melville, Baptist Bible College
AL - Celeste Chinappi, Rutgers-Camden
AL - Beth Paly, Moravian
Third Team
Pos. Name, School
AL - Jennifer Compton, Arcadia
AL - Jessica Klimas, Misericordia
AL - Michelle Baiera, Kean
AL - Megan Pilarcik, Gettysburg
AL - Jackie Pareso, Gettysburg
AL - Lauren Homa, Moravian
AL - Elizabeth Choma, Ramapo
AL - Nicole Pacicco, Montclair State
AL - Maggie Shaeffer, Arcadia
AL - Jennifer Gehman, Misericordia
AL - Kara O'Dell, Bethany
AL - Lisa Rizzo, Ramapo
AL - Kelli Thon, Elizabethtown
AL - Leigh Greenberg, Kean
AL - Melissa Ulrich, Lebanon Valley
King's College
133 North River Street Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
1 (888) KINGS PA
Questions or comments to: Bob Ziadie, King's College Sports Information Director
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