Wednesday, May 18, 2005

JOHNSON CITY, TENN. (May 18, 2005) -  Lady Bucs left fielder Janine Sprague (Hillsborough, N.C.) has been selected as a member of the South All-Region Second-Team, the announcement came from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) office today.  Sprague led ETSU to a fourth-seed in the 2005 Southern Conference Championship Tournament, and set a new Lady Bucs season-record finishing the season with a .358 batting average through tournament play.  The honor is the first in ETSU softball history. 

"Janine is such a fierce competitor and focused individual.  She is a great teammate, role model and leader for the Lady Bucs squad," Amy Fuller, former Lady Bucs head coach, said.  "I expect Janine to continue her career into her senior season next fall and look forward to watching her lead ETSU in the Atlantic-Sun Conference." 

Sprague recorded 62 hits, including seven doubles and tied a career and team-best with six triples for the year.  Her six triples ranked her 11^th in the nation at regular season's end, while she posted team-high's in nearly every offensive category throughout the season.  The 2005 Southern Conference Player of the Year, Sprague will return to ETSU next season for her senior campaign. 

"I am very excited and honored to be the first-ever all-region selection for ETSU," Sprague said.  "This recognition shows how far our team has come and it is such an honor to be among this group of softball players throughout the region."

Continue to visit ETSUBucs.com for coverage, scores and game recaps for all Buccaneer athletics teams.

NFCA All-Region (South)

1^ST TEAM

Monica Abbott                                     Pitcher                         University of Tennessee

Stephanie VanBrakle                          Pitcher                         University of Alabama

Ashley Courtney                                  Catcher                       University of Alabama

Paige Jones                                        1^st Base                       Auburn University

Lauren Boone                                     2^nd Base                      Sam Houston State University

Courtney Bures                                   Shortstop                    Mississippi State University

Kristi Durant                                        3^rd Base                      University of Tennessee

Lauren Castle                                     DP                               Louisiana State University

Holly Currie                                         Utility                            Auburn University

Sarah Fekete                                      OF                               University of Tennessee

Danyelle Gomez                                 OF                               University of Louisiana-Lafayette

Jennifer Davis                                     OF                               University of Texas-San Antonio

2^nd TEAM

Brooke Mitchell                                    Pitcher                         University of Louisiana-Lafayette

Sarah Pauley                                      Pitcher                         Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi

Jocelyn McCallum                               Pitcher                         Troy State University

Aja Sherman                                       Pitcher                         University of Louisville

Carly Kellam                                       Pitcher                         Jacksonville State University

Lacey Swarthout                                 Pitcher                         University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Shalayne Blythe                                  Pitcher                         Sam Houston State University

Tamra Howren                                    Catcher                       Troy State University

Beth Jordan                                         1^st Base                       McNeese State University

Brittany Bryant                                    2^nd Base                      University of Louisiana-Lafayette

Lindsay Schutzler                               Shortstop                    University of Tennessee

Courtney Moore                                  Shortstop                    University of Louisville

Kristen Glowacz                                 3^rd Base                      University of Houston

Jessica Rogers                                   3^rd Base                      University of Texas-San Antonio

Jordan Praytor                                    DP                               University of Alabama

Jennifer Jessup                                   Utility                            Mississippi State University

Jill Robertson                                      OF                               University of Louisiana-Lafayette

Camille Harris                                     OF                               Louisiana State University

Jackie Wilkins                                     OF                               University of Aabama

Maigin Alexander                                 OF                               Jacksonville State University

Janine Sprague                                OF                               East Tennessee State University