Sparkill, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Softball team received more all-region accolades on Monday as junior catcher Olivia Leon (Stony Point, N.Y.) was tabbed a first team D2CCA All-East Region selection with freshman pitcher Emma Grace Popp (Buffalo, N.Y.) and sophomore designated player Sofia Marella (Cranston, R.I.) each named to the second team.
This news comes after Leon was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-East Region first team and Marella was picked for the second team. The three aforementioned softball athletes all earned first team All-East Coast Conference recognition, with Popp also taking home Co-Rookie of the Year honors.
Leon, a tri-captain, has enjoyed her best season of her three-year collegiate career. Playing in all 48 games for the maroon and gold, she holds a .361 (56-of-155) batting average to date with a team-leading 16 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 27 RBI and 43 runs scored. She has also excelled defensively behind the dish.
Popp, has put together an impressive 18-1 record with two saves in her first season in Sparkill. The right-hander sports a 2.96 ERA with 135 strikeouts over 142.0 innings pitched in 25 appearances (19 starts).
Marella, is the team’s best offensive player. The designated player leads the squad in batting average (.434), homers (17), hits (66) and RBI (61). Her on-base percentage is a startling .494, while she is slugging an elite .842.
St. Thomas Aquinas opens the East Super Regional round of the NCAA Division II Tournament on Thursday, May 21 at Spartan Field against Assumption University. The two-day, best-of-three series kicks off at noon each day. The team that picks up two wins will be crowned the East Region Champion and will advance to Frost Stadium at Warner Park in Chattanooga, Tennessee for the Division II Finals, May 28 to June 3.