May 9, 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-District for softball in a voting among the district's Sports Information Directors it was announced today. She will now be placed on the national ballot for Academic All-American® consideration.

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 this year. She is currently hitting .342 (64-187), second best on the squad, after batting .225 a year ago. She has recorded 13 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 44 RBI in 63 games this year. Puccio, who set career-highs in every offensive category, is tied for the team lead in triples while tying for second on the team in doubles. She has a team-best 19 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 is tied for eleventh in hitting and is second, behind teammate Jocelyn Dearborn, in RBI.

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

The Rams (35-29, 11-9 Atlantic 10) will continue play at the 2008 Atlantic 10 Championship on Friday with a loser's bracket game against St. Bonaventure at 4:00 p.m. The Rams opened the tournament with a 1-0 win over Saint Joseph's on Wednesday, before falling to top-seeded Massachusetts, 2-0, in their first game on Thursday. But Fordham stayed alive with a 5-1 win over Saint Joseph's on Thursday afternoon, knocking the Hawks out of the championship.