Gillespie, Giles Named to Mid-Atlantic All-Region Team

5/17/06 -- Junior Randi Gillespie and freshman Jenny Giles were named to the Mid-Atlantic Region team by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) on Wednesday afternoon. Gillespie was a first-team selection for the second consecutive season, while Giles was a second-team honoree.

A second-year utility player, Gillespie hit .364 overall and .441 in Northeast Conference action for the Blackbirds. She played 30 games at two outfield positions, eight behind the plate and 12 at first and third, and holds a .454 on-base percentage, including a .541 showing in NEC games.

Gillespie has put together one of the most prolific offensive seasons in LIU history. The San Jose, Calif. native is one home run shy of tying the all-time single-season home run record of 12, set last year by Briana Mathiesen. In addition, her 42 RBI this campaign place her two short of tying Tiffany Cooley’s single-season record of 44 reached in 2001.

After leading the conference in wins (22), strikeouts (164) and shutouts (8), Giles became only the second freshman in conference history to win the Pitcher of the Year award. The other frosh to win the award was former Blackbird Crystal Eubanks in 2000.

Giles also set the LIU individual single-season strikeout record (164) and posted a 1.95 ERA in conference action. She has 44 appearances on the season, including 35 starts in which she has completed 33.

The Blackbirds (34-21) have won their last eight games and swept the Northeast Conference tournament over the weekend en route to a berth into the NCAA Regionals. LIU will face No. 7 Arizona State in Hempstead, N.Y. on Friday, May 19 at 2:30 p.m. in the opening round of the double-elimination tournament.