May 20, 2004
Iowa City, IA – Three members of the Iowa softball team have been selected to the Mideast All-Regional teams. Junior Lisa Birocci was named first team all-region while sophomores Natalie Johnson and Kylie Murray gained second team honors.
Birocci, a second team all-Big Ten selection, was selected to the first team as a pitcher. Birocci broke her own single-season strikeout record this season and currently has 285. She is 21-12 with a 1.00 ERA. Birocci is also batting .268 with five home runs and is second on the team in slugging percentage at .464. Birocci is now a two-time all-regional selection and is eligible for all-America recognition.
Johnson was a first team all-Big Ten selection and was named all-region as an outfielder. She is leading the team in batting average (.302), runs scored (38) and slugging percentage (.500). She is tied for the team lead in home runs (5), doubles (11) and stolen bases (7).
Murray was selected all-region as the designated player. She is batting .293 and tied for the team lead in doubles (11). Murray is also second on the team in hits (53) and RBI (27).
The Hawkeyes are currently in Lincoln, NE for the 2004 NCAA Region V Tournament and are scheduled to face Mississippi State today.
FIRST TEAM
Lisa Birocci, Iowa, P
Piper Marten, Minnesota, P
Megan Higginbotham, Minnesota, C
Saskia Roberson, DePaul, 1B
Alicia Laraway, Evansville, 2B
Melissa Lemrick, Butler, 3B
Laura Harms, Bradley, SS
Megan Ciolli, Notre Dame, OF
Amanda Williams, Marshall, OF
Breanne Nasti, Buffalo, OF
Sarah Martz, DePaul, UT
Garland Cooper, Northwestern, DP
SECOND TEAM
Heather Booth, Notre Dame, P
Eileen Cannery, Northwestern, P
Steffany Stenglein, Notre Dame, P
Sandyn Short, Eastern Illinois, C
Meagan Ruthrauff, Notre Dame, 1B
Carri Leto, Northwestern, 2B
Kristin Amegin, Northwestern, 3B
Kristin Zacher, Wisconsin, SS
Natalie Johnson, Iowa, OF
Emily Winters, Evansville, OF
Erin Mobley, Northwestern, OF
Sierra Davenport, Marshall, UT
Kylie Murray, Iowa, DP