Roberts Named to NFCA All-Region I Second Team
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Sophomore Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.) of the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region I Second Team for the 2023 season, it was announced by the association Friday. The honor marks the first NFCA All-Region award for the Blue Jays since 2016, when current assistant coach Patti Sciglimpaglia was named to the All-Northeast First Team, and the third NFCA All-Region honor in program history.
The awards honor student-athletes from the Association's 10 regions with selection to one of three teams. NFCA member head coaches nominate and then vote for the winners in their respective region. All honorees move forward to be considered for selection for the three NFCA Division III All-America squads, which will be announced May 31 online and on-site at the NCAA Division III Finals banquet in Marshall, Texas.
Roberts earned a spot on the All-Region I Second Team at the Utility/Pitcher position after enjoying a stellar debut season for USJ in 2023. She paced the team at the plate, recording a .505 batting average, the best in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC). The sophomore also tallied 56 hits and 12 doubles, the fourth most in the league, while racking up 31 RBI. Roberts also was stellar inside the circle, leading the pitching staff with a 9-7 record, a 3.79 ERA and 88 strikeouts. The award is the second for Robert this season, as she was named to the GNAC All-First Team at the utility position earlier this month.
"Alyssa had a great season for us, " said head coach Jim McKinnon. "She was a consistent hitter and run producer at the plate and stabilized our pitching staff with several excellent starts. I'm glad she was recognized in the GNAC and in the All-Region Voting for her outstanding season."
The Blue Jays rounded out the 2023 season with a 22-18 record overall, including a 6-6 mark in conference play, earning USJ the South Division fourth seed in the GNAC Playoffs. However, USJ would fall in the opening round to eventual runners up Lasell University to round out their campaign.
About the NFCA
Celebrating 40 years in 2023, the NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its vast library of digital education, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to an extensive Awards & Scholarships platform, to NFCA Webinars and a National Convention.
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