Notre Dame Fastpitch finishes up record season and Four Falcons earn NAIA All-American Academic Honors

South Euclid, OH - July 2002 -The Notre Dame College Fastpitch Team finished up the 2002 season in record fashion under the guidance of new head coach Ali Brian. The Falcons had a final record of 15-30, surpassing the previous win mark of 11-32 by the 2000 NDC team led by Valerie Kepner.

At times, it was a heartbreaking season for the team as they lost several games by one run and several after leading going into the seventh inning. "We were a young squad and when you have an inexperienced squad you will lose some of those close games", according to Brian. "A bright spot is that we made important improvements during the season and gained a lot of experience as a team and individually."

Five members of the team were selected by a vote of the conference coaches this year to the American Mideast All-Conference Team. Junior Tianna Woofter earned 2nd Team Honors for the second consecutive year, while junior Pam Pusnik and freshmen Sarah Kadow, Audrie DeVore, and Alina Essenmacher were all named to the AMC honorable mention team.

Academically the Falcons were also very strong as they boast four NAIA All-American Scholar-Athletes. Senior Stephanie Oryszak earned her second NAIA academic nod and this year she was joined by junior teammates Heather DeLuca, Molly Jordan, and senior Pam Pusnik as first time selections. All four also earned AMC Academic honors.

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