Samantha Smith represents the CIAA as a selection at catcher on the 2012 Daktronics All-Atlantic Region Softball Team
Lock Haven, PA – Johnson C. Smith University senior catcher
Samantha Smith (Whiteville, NC) has been selected to the 2012 Daktronics All-Atlantic Region Softball Second Team. Smith is the only CIAA representative out of the 27 combined student-athletes elected on the First and Second teams. After being named to the All-CIAA team for the third consecutive season, this is a first time all-regional honor for Smith.
Smith has been an all-conference selection from 2010-12. Smith is the 2011 NCAA Division II triples champion and her offensive success carried over this season. She led the Golden Bulls in the following categories this year: at-bats (136), runs scored (54), hits (62), doubles (14), triples (3), homeruns (4), slugging percentage (69.1%), and stolen bases (49).
Smith finished first in the CIAA in stolen bases, second in the conference with a .429 batting average, and ninth in RBIs with 35.
West Virginia State shortstop Brittany Hyatt was named the Atlantic Region Player of the Year and Kutztown's Samantha Derr was named the Region's Pitcher of the Year. Players from 14 different schools made up the First and Second Teams this year with players from nine different schools landing on the First Team.
Smith graduated from JCSU on May 6, 2012 with dual bachelor degrees in Community Health and Health Education.
Complete listing of the 2012 Daktronics All-Atlantic Region Softball Teams:
First Team
Pitchers
Samantha Derr, Kutztown
Hope Spancake, California
Emily Fultz, Charleston
Catcher
Sam Pientack, Bloomsburg
First Base
Samantha Eimers, Mercyhurst
Second Base
Carly Mundie, Fairmont St.
Shortstop
Brittany Hyatt, West Virginia State
Third Base
Kelly Fitzgerald, Kutztown
Outfield
Kelli McCullough, West Virginia Wesleyan
Mattie Best, West Virginia State
Katie Natter, California
Designated Player
Shania Bunker, Mercyhurst
Utility
Nicole Smith, Lock Haven
Pitcher of the Year
Samantha Derr, Kutztown
Player of the Year
Brittany Hyatt, West Virginia State
Second Team
Pitchers
Hillary Perez-Ashley, West Virginia Wesleyan
Sara Pelegreen, West Virginia State
Cait Paine, Bloomsburg
Catchers
Megan Malenstyn, West Virginia Wesleyan
Samantha Smith, Johnson C. Smith
First Base
Janeen Vazquez, Charleston
Second Base
Kristie Cortazzo, Gannon
Shortstop
Abbey Wilson, Fairmont State
Third Base
Jillian Russell, California
Outfield
Jackie Hetzler, Kutztown
Shelby Heyd, California
Brittany Shelpley, Ohio Valley
Designated Player
Rachel Gieringer, East Stroudsburg
Utility
Kate Pratt, Mansfield
