May 28, 2008

Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham University junior designated player Mary Beth Puccio (Brightwaters, N.Y./Bay Shore) was named First Team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® for softball in a voting among the district's Sports Information Directors it was announced today. She becomes the first Fordham softball student-athlete to earn Academic All-America® honors since Erin Brooks in 2004 and she is the first Fordham student-athlete to receive First Team Academic All-America® accolades since Cindy Vojtech was named First Team for both volleyball and crew in 1999-2000.

Puccio, a junior designated player who was an Honorable Mention All-Atlantic 10 selection this spring, enjoyed one of the most improved seasons in the Atlantic 10. She hit .347 (68-196) on the year, second best on the squad, after batting .225 a year ago. She has recorded 14 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 45 RBI in 65 games. Puccio, who set career-highs in every offensive category, tied for the team lead in doubles and triples while placing second in RBI and third in home runs. She had a team-best 20 multiple-hit games this year, including seven three-hit games, along with 13 multiple-RBI games, tying for the team-high.

In the Atlantic 10 rankings, Puccio tied for eight in hitting and was second, behind teammate Jocelyn Dearborn, in RBI and total bases (106) and fourth in runs scored (38).

Puccio capped her season by being named to the 2008 Atlantic 10 All-Championship team, hitting .353 (6-17) with two runs and an RBI at the tournament. She also tied a conference championship record with four hits in an 8-2 13-inning win over St. Bonaventure.

In Atlantic 10 action, this spring, Puccio hit .270 (17-63) with three doubles, two home runs and 16 RBI.

The Rams closed out the year with a 36-30 overall record, 11-9 in the Atlantic 10. It was the sixth straight 30-win season for the Rams who also made their sixth consecutive appearance at the Atlantic 10 Championship.