George Washington University Athletics
Softball Trio Earns NFCA All-Region Honors
5/17/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Jenna Cone, Alessandra Ponce and Priscilla Martinez of George Washington softball have earned National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Mid-Atlantic Region honors, the organization announced Thursday.
Cone (Third Base) and Ponce (Designated Player/Utility) were selected to the Second Team, while Martinez (Catcher) garnered a spot on the Third Team. It's the first time in program history more than one Colonial received all-region recognition.After a spring in which it set a program record with 33 wins and advanced to the A-10 Championship, GW's three selections ranked behind only Notre Dame (four) in the region.
"It's great to see hard work pay off for Jenna, Sanie and Priscilla," head coach James DeFeo said. "From the extra video that they watch to the numerous reps taken in the cage, these three players take pride in their game and are deserving of these honors."
Cone earned repeat NFCA All-Region honors after hitting .378 with a program-record 61 RBIs in 53 games as a sophomore. The Second Team All-Atlantic 10 pick equaled the program mark with 28 extra-base hits via 16 doubles and 12 home runs. The California native closed the regular season with a GW-record 35-game on-base streak, which included a program-best 15-game hitting streak.
In her freshman season, Ponce recorded a .406 batting average (43-for-106) to become the first Colonial since GW Athletic Hall of Famer Elana Meyers Taylor in 2007 to finish a season at .400 or better. The Nevada native totaled 17 extra base hits and knocked in 29 runs this spring, plus a 14-game hitting streak that set a GW freshman record. She was previously named to the A-10 Second Team and All-Rookie Team.
Martinez put together a sterling sophomore season behind the plate to earn her first all-region recognition, highlighted by a .343 batting average, 13 doubles and 31 RBIs in 52 games. The California native was at her best down the stretch, hitting .395 with 11 extra-base hits over 76 at-bats in A-10 play. She already ranks among GW's Top 10 all-time in doubles (29) and RBIs (71) for her career.
A total of 389 student-athletes from 164 programs across the nation were recognized on the NFCA All-Region squads. All honorees now become eligible for selection to the organizations' Division I All-American teams.
