ERIE, Pa. –
Kirstie Cortazzo (Jeannette, Pa./Jeannette),
Alexa Archambeault (Horseheads, N.Y./Horseheads) and
Alyssa Bates (Greensburg, Pa./Hempfield) have been named to the All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division softball first team released Thursday morning.
Cortazzo earned her second consecutive All-PSAC first-team honor after posting a .342 average, a .509 slugging percentage and a .400 on-base percentage. A Daktronics All-Atlantic Region selection as a sophomore, Cortazzo scored 25 times and drove in 29 runs during 36 starting assignments. The junior second baseman had seven doubles and four home runs. Defensively, she recorded a .955 field percentage with only six errors in 132 opportunities.
The Jeanette, Pa., native piled up 11 multiple-hit games and a team-high nine multiple-RBI games. Cortazzo hit .377 (23-61) with runners on base, .429 (3-7) with the bases loaded and .375 (15-40) with runners in scoring position. Her batting average never dipped below .333 after the first game of the season.
Archambeault made an immediately splash on the collegiate level, owning the PSAC's third-highest average with a .415 mark. It represented the ninth-highest single-season average in school history. The freshman centerfielder produced a .593 slugging percentage along with a .423 on-base percentage. She had 19 runs, nine doubles, four home runs and 27 RBIs. Archambeault was stellar in the field, committing only one error all season for a .976 fielding percentage.
The Horseheads, N.Y., native had a team-best 16 multiple-hit games and seven multiple-RBI games. Archambeault started the campaign on fire, producing a 10-game hitting streak March 5-15. She hit .367 (22-60) with runners on base, .429 (3-7) with the bases loaded, .390 (16-41) with runners in scoring position and .388 (19-49) with two outs. Archambeault failed to get a hit only six times in 37 games during her first collegiate season.
Bates was another Gannon newcomer who burst onto the scene with a .364 average matched with a .576 slugging percentage and a .447 on-base percentage. The freshman catcher pounded out six doubles and five home runs while scoring 19 times and driving home 25 runs. She was solid behind the plate, accumulating a .973 fielding percentage with four errors in 146 chances.
The Greensburg, Pa., native was consistent with eight multiple-hit games and eight multiple-RBI games. Bates hit .386 (22-57) with runners on base, .333 (14-42) with runners in scoring position and .371 (13-35) with two outs. She concluded the season on fire with a team-best 13-game hitting streak. Bates drilled all five of her home runs during the final 13 contests. She hit .488 during that stretch, going 20-for-41 with nine runs and 15 RBIs.
Gannon concluded the 2013 campaign with a 24-13 overall record, tying for second place in the PSAC Western Division during the regular season. The Lady Knights have posted three consecutive 20-win seasons, qualifying for the PSAC Tournament each year.
