May 14, 2008

NOTRE DAME, Ind. - A pair of Notre Dame softball players were recently named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Louisville Slugger Division I All-Mideast Region team, as senior outfielder Sarah Smith and junior pitcher Brittney Bargar took home the honors. Chosen by NFCA member coaches from each region, the honorees will now be eligible for selection to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-America first, second or third teams.

Smith, a first-teamer, had a remarkable campaign by leading the team with a .373 clip and 57 hits. She has six doubles and 13 RBI heading into the NCAA Regionals at Ann Arbor. The lefty slapper has reached base at a .400 average and has nine stolen bases. She was the BIG EAST's player of the week on April 28.

Bargar, who was a first-team all-BIG EAST selection along with Smith, found a spot on the second team after carrying a 1.18 ERA and a 29-13 record from the circle. She has struck out 233 batters and held opposing teams to a .191 average at the plate. Bargar has tossed eight shutouts - including a no-hitter - and combined for a ninth with Jody Valdivia. Her ERA, wins total and innings pitched (273.1) rank among the top in the nation. On three occasions this past season, Bargar nabbed the league's top pitcher of the week honor.

All-NFCA Mideast Region

First Team
Pos. - Name - School
P - Lauren Delaney - Northwestern University
P - Brittany Weil - University of Iowa
C - Rachel Folden - Marshall University
1B - Brittany Herald - University of Evansville
2B - Nicole Pauly - Northwestern University
3B - Amber Patton - DePaul University
SS - Tammy Williams - Northwestern University
OF - Sarah Smith - University of Notre Dame
OF - Breanna Robinson - Miami University of Ohio
OF - Ellen Kresl - Loyola University
UT/P - Becca Heteniak - DePaul University
UT/Non-P - Colleen McGlaughlin - University of Iowa
UT/Non-P - Sandy Vojik - DePaul University

Second Team
Pos. - Name - School
P - Kylie Reynolds - Kent State University
P - Brittney Bargar - University of Notre Dame
C - Erin Dyer - Northwestern University
1B - Kelsey Haupert - Purdue University
2B - Kelly Miller - Purdue University
3B - Ashley Hall - Purdue University
SS - Candace Curtis - Purdue University
SS - Jessica Toocheck - Kent State University
OF - Alicia Hogl - Miami University of Ohio
OF - Mary Ellen Russell - University at Buffalo
OF - Rachael Sofie - Marshall University
UT/P - Caitlyn Jackson - Marshall University
UT/Non-P - Michelle Batts - Northwestern University

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