Softball | 5/11/2010 2:35:59 PM
ROCHESTER, NY - Four members of the RIT softball team earned All-Empire 8 honors, as the league announced its 2010 award winners on Tuesday. Senior
Emily McPherson (Pompey, NY/Pompey), junior
Carlissa Cole (Alden, NY/Alden), and freshman
Tori Nadow (Charlton, MA/Shepherd Hill) earned second team honors, while senior
Jen Hayden (Syracuse, NY/West Genesee) was RIT's representative as the Empire 8 Sportsperson of the Year.
McPherson, a second baseman, made the transition from shortstop and hit .330 with a team-best 37 hits. She ripped six doubles, two triples, one home run and added 13 RBI. In Empire 8 play, McPherson hit .295 with a home run and eight RBI and three stolen bases. It is her third straight Empire 8 selection. McPherson was the 2008 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year and a second team selection. In 2009, she was a first team selection.
Cole, a pitcher/designated hitter is one of the top control pitchers in the region. She won eight games and walked just nine batters in 139 1/3 innings. She threw 18 complete games and picked up two saves. In addition, Cole had 21 hits, including a home run and eight RBI. Cole walked just two batters in 51 innings during conference and also hit a team-best .353. It is her third straight Empire 8 selection. Cole was an honorable mention selection in 2008, and earned second team honors in 2009.
Nadow stepped right in at shortstop and led the team with 33 RBI and 13 doubles. Her 33 RBI are the fourth most in one season at RIT, while the 13 doubles are fifth best. In addition, Nadow hit .347 and slugged .551. In conference play, Nadow hit .317 with four doubles, one home run and 11 RBI.
Hayden was named RIT's Sportsperson of the Year. Empire 8 emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. These honorees have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportswomen. Hayden, an outfielder, recorded 22 hits and three stolen bases in 2010. Hayden was a second team selection in 2009.
RIT finished the season with a record of 17-21 and qualified for the Empire 8 Tournament for the second straight season.
