May 15, 2009

Starkville, Miss. - The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced the 2009 All-Region teams this afternoon, with Fordham sophomore shortstop Samantha Pellechio (Lebanon, N.J./North Hunterdon) earning First Team All-Mid-Atlantic honors.

Pellechio becomes the 13th All-Region selection for Fordham in the past seven seasons, and the fourth First Team selection, joining Allison Storc (2007), Katie Davis (2005), and Michelle Schlichtig (2003). She now moves on to the national ballot for All-American consideration.

Pellechio, a 2009 First Team All-Atlantic 10 selection, had an outstanding sophomore campaign, more than tripling her offensive production from a year ago. A two-time Atlantic 10 Player of the Week, she was selected as the team's MVP at 2009 Block F Dinner, leading the team with a .360 batting average, 10 home runs, and 45 RBI.

Her RBI total tied for the Atlantic 10 lead by season's end, while her 107 total bases marked only the seventh time that a Ram has topped the century mark, ranking as the fifth best total in program history. The ten home runs tied for the third-best mark in school history, while her .601 slugging percentage was good for seventh all-time.

The Fordham softball team finished at 37-22 this season with a 13-7 mark in the Atlantic 10.