O'Connor, Messina Named All-Northeast Region
National Fastpitch Coaches Association Recognizes Two Hawks

Melissa O'Connor

Manchester, N.H. (May 8, 2003) - Two members of the Saint Anselm College softball team were named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All- Northeast Region team today as selected by a committee of Division II Coaches.

Named to the Region's second team were sophomore third baseman Melissa O'Connor (Belmont, Mass./ Belmont) and senior pitcher Andrea Messina (Woburn, Mass./ Arlington Catholic).

In a rare occurrence, O'Connor was named to the all-region team as a write-in nominee. She was not on the original ballot but was so highly thought of by the region's voters that she garnered her first all-region recognition. The sophomore third baseman had a breakthrough season at the hot corner. She started all 44 games and emerged as the Hawks' leadoff batter, hitting and even .300 (39-for-130) with five doubles, two triples, one home run and 15 RBI.

Andrea Messina

Messina earned her spot on the All-Northeast team despite being left off the All- Northeast-10 Conference teams for the first time ever this season. Voters could easily have been swayed by her deceptive 12-9 record but she again proved masterful with 17 complete games. In 147.2 innings pitched, Messina logged 171 strikeouts compared to just 14 walks for a ratio of 12-1. She was named to the NE-10 Weekly Honor Roll six times and was the conference's Pitcher of the Week twice. Messina also set the school's all-time strikeouts mark this year and ends her career with 666 K's. She holds the top three single season strikeout marks with 179 in 2001, 177 in 2000, and 171 this season to go along with 139 in 2002.

Under first year head coach Don Huot, Saint Anselm posted a 23-21 record and advanced to the Final Four of the Northeast-10 Conference Tournament.

2003 National Fastpitch Coaches Association
Softball All-Northeast Regional Teams

First Team Pos. School
Megan Vecchiano Pitcher Le Moyne
Marnie Sundberg Pitcher Le Moyne
Kelly D'Angelo Pitcher American International
Krystle Scala Catcher CW Post
Kristine McCarthy Catcher Adelphi
Cheryl Cosenzo First Base Queens
Aislinn Friary Second Base Assumption
Jennifer Winters Shortstop Le Moyne
Annie Jacobs Third Base Le Moyne
Tonia Trapani Third Base Adelphi
Kim Loganoa Outfield CW Post
Cheri Pearce Outfield Adelphi
Jessica Blake Outfield Queens
Stephanie Valentinetti Outfield Southampton
Amber Gagnon Utility UMass Lowell
Lucy Oswald Designated Player Queens

Second Team Pos. School
Julianne Lovejoy Pitcher CW Post
Angela Locsin Pitcher Pace
Andrea Messina Pitcher Saint Anselm
Danielle Guerra Catcher Caldwell
Sara Farias Catcher UMass Lowell
Lindsay Connor First Base Le Moyne
Amy Coker Second Base Caldwell
Rebecca Chimelski Second Base UMass Lowell
Michelle Bettles Shortstop CW Post
Melissa O'Connor Third Base Saint Anselm
Katie Jackson Outfield Caldwell
Erin Molloy Outfield Southampton
Ivy Klein Outfield Adelphi
Lisa Troupea Utility Queens
Tabitha Hebert Designated Player Saint Michael's