Curtiss And Gallardo Earn Postseason Honors

BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo freshman Alexis Curtiss and sophomore Sammi Gallardo were recognized by the Mid-American Conference on Tuesday evening as the conference announced their postseason awards.  Curtiss became just the third player in school history named to All-MAC First Team, while Gallardo was named to the Second Team.  Curtiss was also named to the All-Freshman Team.

"I am extremely proud of Alexis and Sammi for all the things they accomplished this year," said head coach Jen Teague.  "They listened to their coaches and made adjustments through out the year.  They practice hard each and every day, and we expect even better things to come from them in the future."

Curtiss becomes UB's first All-MAC First Team selection since 2004 when Stacey Evans was named to the team.  The only other UB player named to the First Team is Hall of Famer Breanne Nasti, who earned those honors in 2002 and 2003.  She also joins the All-MAC Freshman Team, the third straight year the Bulls have had someone named to that team.  Curtiss finished the season with a .379 batting average, the third highest in school history.  She led the team in hits, doubles, home runs and runs batted in as well as slugging percentage and on base percentage.  Her 0.35 doubles per game are currently ranked fifth in the country.  Curtiss also tied the school record for hits in a game with four, which she did on three different occasions this year.  Defensively, she threw out 20 runners behind the plate, amongst the tops in the conference.

Gallardo becomes the sixth UB player in school history named to the All-MAC Second Team as her offensive picked up in conference play, despite missing the end of the season due to injury.  Gallardo hit .320 on the year, including .382 in conference play.  Gallardo was named as the second base selection to the team, but has also played third base this season.  Offensively, she tied for the team lead in triples and was second on the team in runs batted in and slugging percentage.

First Team All-MAC

Catcher - Alexis Curtiss, Buffalo

Catcher – Lauren Gellerman, Ohio

1B - Alissa Birkhimer, Akron

2B - Brooke Gates, Toledo

SS - Hannah Fulk, Bowling Green

SS - Alison Mercado, Ball State

3B - Jessica Richards, Eastern Michigan

Outfield - Jennifer Gilbert, Ball State

Outfield- Nicole Gremillion, Northern Illinois

Outfield - Lindasy Tobias, Toledo

Outfield -  Danielle Parish, Northern Illinois

Pitcher – Jessica Simpson, Miami

Pitcher -- Jamie Kertes, Bowling Green

Utility Non-Pitcher - Amanda Montalto, Ball State

Utility Pitcher- Meredith Whitney, Western Michigan

Second Team All-MAC

Catcher - Kayla Ledbetter, Miami

1B - Tara Buchanan, Western Michigan

1B - Molly Coldren, Central Michigan

1B - Raven King, Ohio

2B - Sammi Gallardo, Buffalo

SS- Alexis Joseph, Ohio

3B - Audrey Bickel, Ball State

Utility Non-Pitcher - Jennifer Barnett, Northern Illinois

Pitcher - Lauren McClary, Ohio

Pitcher - Kara Dornbos, Central Michigan

Pitcher - Emma Johnson, Kent State

Outfield - Jillian VanWagnen, Ohio

Outfield - Shanyn McIntyre, Miami

Outfield - Hanne Stuedemann, Ball State

Outfield – Amanda Carpenter, Ball State

All-Freshman Team

Keelia Nester, Akron

Hanne Stuedemann, Ball State

Paris Imholz, Bowling Green

Jamie Kertes, Bowling Green

Alexis Curtiss, Buffalo

Chelsea DeLamielluere, Central Michigan

Emma Johnson, Kent State

Dani Ramos, Kent State

Shanyn McIntyre, Miami

Lauren McClary, Ohio

Freshman of the Year -- Jamie Kertes,  Bowling Green

Pitcher of the Year – Jessica Simpson, Miami

Player of the Year – Jennifer Gilbert, Ball State

Nan Harvey Award -- Jordan McElroy, Miami

Coach of the Year – Shannon Salsburg, Bowling Green