Softball | May 5, 2015

NEWPORT NEWS, Va.-The La Salle softball team had three players who earned annual awards from the Atlantic 10 as announced on Tuesday. Sophomore Christina Bascara earned a spot on the Second Team All-Conference, freshman McKenzie Peace was named to the All-Rookie Team while senior Alicia Aughton earned a spot on the All-Academic Team.
 
"This was another great year for Christina, two in a row," added head coach Ron Shoemaker. "She has proven herself to be one of the top players in the Atlantic 10. She has been consistently from the start our best hitter. Our offense really struggled when she was out for a weekend with an injury. She is a dependable middle of the order hitter. '
 
Bascara earned her spot on the Second Team All-Conference at third base. She was top ten in the conference in both on base percentage (.475), and slugging percentage (.605). She also lead the Explorers with a .358 average, 29 hits, 12 extra base hits, eight doubles, and tied for the team lead with 20 runs scored. This was on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team as a freshman last season.
 
"It is definitely an honor," added Bascara. "We come out here every day and work hard and do what we can for the best of the team. It is nice to know that at the end of the day it pays off."
 
Peace, was named to the All-Rookie Team after an impressive freshman campaign. She ranks eighth in the conference with a 2.59 ERA during conference play with a 3-5 record. On the season Peace threw 78.1 innings with a 3.84 ERA while recording 46 strikeouts and a 5-8 record.
 
"Being a freshman is hard enough, being a freshman pitcher is a tough task to ask anyone to do," said Shoemaker. "She has come in and done everything we could possibly ask her to do. She has shown the ability and maturity that I think she will really light some fires in the Atlantic 10 in the coming seasons."
 
"It is an honor to be named to the All-Rookie team," stated Peace. "It really means a lot to me that all of my hard work is paying off. This gives me even more motivation heading into the Atlantic 10 Tournament."
 
Aughton helped the team both in the circle and at the plate this season.  Aughton led the team with 23 RBIs on the season including 18 during conference play. This is the third season that Aughton has received an season award from the Atlantic 10, last season she was a First Team All-Conference designated player and Second Team All-Conference pitcher and in 2012 she earned All-Rookie team honors. The Moon Township, Pa. native carries a 3.68 GPA as a Secondary Education Major.
 
"Aughton is the classic definition of student-athlete," said Shoemaker. "She has the combination of academics and someone who plays softball at a very high level. That's something that all of the players should aspire to."
 
"This season has been very challenging between softball and student teaching," stated Aughton. "It is nice to be recognized for everything I have done both on and off the field. Being a student athlete and working hard both on the field and in the classroom is no easy task and being awarded this is a great honor."