SOFTBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM RELEASED; NICHOLS AND DeFAZIO TAKE TOP HONORS

Mount Aloysius College sophomore C/1B Lydia DeFazio has been the named the 2019 AMCC Softball Player of the Year. DeFazio was one of the most dominant offensive players in the AMCC this year. She is at or near the top of the leader boards in nearly every batting statistic. She led the AMCC in batting average (.586), home runs (7), doubles (9), on base percentage (.667), slugging percentage (1.103), total bases (64) and extra base hits (16). She also finished second in RBI (25) and tied for fourth in runs scored (20). DeFazio also fielded the ball at a .989 rate and allowed only one passed ball in 15 games behind the plate. 

For the second year in a row, Penn State Behrend senior AJ Nichols has been tabbed as the AMCC Pitcher of the Year. Nichols appeared in 18 conference games for Lions, making pitching appearances in 13. Nichols had nine starts for Behrend, finishing the AMCC play with 10 wins, zero losses, and one save. She pitched a total of 65.2 innings for the Lions, striking out a total of 81 batters and tallying an ERA of 1.49 and an average of 8.63 strikeouts per game. She pitched two shutouts and nine complete games. She led the AMCC in doubles allowed, strikeouts per game, saves, and wins in conference play. Nichols surpassed the 350 career strikeout mark this season for one of the best in Behrend history. 

Newcomer of the Year honors goes to Mount Aloysius freshman P/OF Emily Cochran. Cochran had a strong all around year in her first campaign in a Mountie uniform. In the circle, she compiled a 5-1 record in AMCC play with a 2.98 ERA. She finished tied for seventh in wins and eighth in ERA. She also helped out at the plate, whether it was as a pitcher, DP or outfielder. She hit .409 in 44 at bats. Cochran was seventh in the conference in batting average and 20th in hits.

Mounties' head coach Jeff Bicko and Penn State Behrend's Ashley Gruber have been selected as the AMCC Co-Coaches of the Year. Bicko led the Mounties to a 15-3 conference record and a second seed in the AMCC championship tournament before guiding the Mounties to their second straight AMCC tournament championship. Gruber led the Lions to a 16-2 conference mark and a regular season title.

Click here for the complete all-conference team and postseason awards.