University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Junior Samantha Card Named To All-Region Second Team
5/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 19, 2008
PITTSBURGH--After earning an All-Big East first team selection, junior catcher Samantha Card was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Louisville Slugger All-Mid Atlantic Region second team, as announced this past week.
"Sam did a tremendous job for us all season," Head Coach Michelle Phalen said. "She had great numbers hitting and was rock solid behind the plate.
"This was her first season as a catcher and she really came through big for us. She worked hard and proved to be the best catcher in the league."
Card (Miami, Fla./Our Lady of Lourdes/Florida International) became just the second Panther in program history to earn an all-region nod and the first since 2003 when Francesca DiMaria earned it as a freshman.
Card caught for the Panthers in all but one game this year, after making a defensive move from first base in 2007. She picked off 15 runners attempting to steal and called the no-hitter against Connecticut this season.
Batting cleanup most of the season, she set a single-season school record with a .384 batting average and tied another with 44 RBI. Card additionally led the team with 12 home runs and a .679 slugging percentage, while scoring 33 runs and stealing 19 bases off 61 hits.
In league play, Card led the squad with a .444 batting average, 17 runs, 12 RBI and five homers, which led to an All-Big East first team selection earlier this month.
"Sam is a great competitor," Phalen added. "She has a great work ethic, holds herself and her teammates to a high standard and is truly deserving of this honor. I look forward to seeing what Sam Card will do in her senior season at Pitt!"
Voting for the Mid-Atlantic All-Region softball teams was conducted by the region's head coaches through the NFCA Web site.
