April 13, 2007

HAMPTON, VA - Five North Carolina Central University Lady Eagles earned a place on the 2007 All-CIAA Softball Team, while three Lady Eagles were named to the CIAA All-Rookie Team, as chosen by the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's Softball Coaches Association.

Three NCCU sophomores, third baseman Sophia Blue (Hope Mills, N.C.), pitcher Stacey Greene (Detroit, Mich.) and catcher Francheska Pittman (Plymouth, N.C.), were voted to the All-CIAA First Team, while senior Asha Sutton (LaGrange, N.C.) and freshman Michelle Ishida (San Gabriel, Calif.) were selected to the All-CIAA Second Team.

Ishida was also picked to the CIAA All-Rookie Team, along with center fielder DeSanbra Franklin (Piqua, Ohio) and Kristen Schooler (Mitchellville, Md.).

Blue, who currently tops the conference in batting average (.535), hits (69), runs scored (66), triples (14) and total bases (120), is the NCAA Division II leader in runs per game (1.9) and triples per game (0.47). Among the nation's statistical leaders, she also ranks third in batting average, fifth in slugging percentage (.974), seventh in toughest to strike out (0.017) and ninth in stolen bases per game (0.9). Blue is a repeat selection to the All-CIAA First Team and was last year's CIAA Rookie of the Year.

Greene, who was a member of the CIAA All-Rookie Team a year ago, currently leads the CIAA with 14 victories (14-5), an earned run average of 2.12 and 104 strikeouts in 119.0 innings on the hill. She has thrown 16 complete games and four shutouts, including her first collegiate no-hitter on Feb. 18 at Clark-Atlanta.

Pittman, who repeats as an All-CIAA First Team catcher, is second on the team and sixth in the league with a .447 batting average. She has also collected 29 runs scored, 27 runs batted in, three doubles, four triples and four home runs, while throwing out 11 would-be base stealers.

Sutton, who was a First-Team All-CIAA pick last year, has a batting average of .411 and ranks second in the conference with 44 RBI, 84 total bases and six home runs. The senior shortstop is NCCU's all-time career leader in hits, runs scored, runs batted in, doubles, and triples.

Ishida, who has started every game for the Lady Eagles at multiple positions (P/OF/1B), leads the league with 45 runs batted in and 16 doubles. She boasts a batting average of .413 with 40 runs scored, three triples and three home runs.

Franklin, who has started in all but one game as a rookie center fielder, has a .330 batting average with 34 hits, 28 runs scored, 27 RBI, seven doubles, four triples and a home run. She has also recorded 34 putouts and three assists in the field.

Schooler, who has not suffered a loss to an NCAA Division II opponent all season, has amassed a 10-1 pitching record with her only setback coming against Division I Maryland Eastern Shore. She has an ERA of 2.84 with 52 strikeouts to only 19 walks, and has tossed seven complete games with three shutouts, including a no-hitter at Virginia Union on March 14.

The Player and Rookie of the Year will be announced at the CIAA Softball Social on Wednesday, April 18.