LOUSIVILLE, KY – Seniors Katie Baron and Amanda Riley of the Monmouth University softball team each earned 2018 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I All-Region accolades, the organization announced today. Baron was named to the first team at the designated player spot, while Riley was named to the second team as a pitcher. Baron is just the third Monmouth student-athlete to earn First Team All-Region honors, and the first since 2007. Riley is just the fifth Monmouth student-athlete to earn Second Team All-Region honors.

The awards honor softball student-athletes from the Association's 10 regions with first, second and third-team selections. NFCA member coaches from each respective region voted on the teams, and all the honorees now become eligible for selection to the 2018 NFCA Division I All-American squads.
"I couldn't be more proud of both Katie and Amanda," said Monmouth head coach Shannon Salsburg. "They are both very deserving of the award. They would be the first to tell you that this is a team award that reflects on our team and program. Both of them have worked endlessly to improve their games. It's nice to see them be recognized for all of that hard work and dedication to Monmouth Softball."

Baron led the team and the MAAC with a .410 batting average during the regular season, and was named to the All-MAAC First Team for her efforts. During the regular season she also led the team with 55 hits and 34 RBI, and was tied for the team lead with eight home runs and 12 doubles. The senior added 26 runs, 10 walks, and 13 hit by pitches. She registered a team-leading .679 slugging percentage and a .497 on base percentage. She ranked top-3 in the conference in hits, RBI, doubles, total bases, slugging percentage, and on base percentage.

Riley had another historic season, ending in MAAC Pitcher of the Year, All-MAAC First Team, and MAAC Championships MVP accolades. She went a perfect 11-0 in conference regular season play with a 0.66 ERA. In the MAAC Championships, she went 3-0 to lead Monmouth to its first-ever tournament championship. Riley is littered in the program's pitching record books. She ranks first in Monmouth history with 660 strikeouts (163 more than the next closest), first with 682.2 innings pitched, first with 10 saves, second with 147 appearances, second with 102 starts, and third with 55 wins. This season alone, she has registered a 21-5 record with a 1.98 ERA and 216 strikeouts. Opponents are batting just .191 against the righty this season, who has pitched 19 complete games.

Baron, Riley, and the rest of the Hawks face No. 10 Tennessee tomorrow at 5:30 PM. It will be the team's first-ever NCAA appearance after winning the MAAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships.