Randi Gillespie Named First Team All-Mid Atlantic Region

5/18/05 -- Long Island University sophomore outfielder Randi Gillespie (San Jose, Calif.) today was selected first team All-Mid Atlantic Region for softball by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

Gillespie, who also was tabbed first team All-Northeast Conference, made her debut season with the Blackbirds one to remember. The transfer from West Valley Community College closed 11th in the league with a .349 batting average and tied for fourth with eight home runs. She also was seventh with a .570 slugging percentage, eighth with 52 hits and tied for eighth with 31 RBI.

The 5-6 standout, whose overall batting average was second on the team, hit a whopping .443 in conference games with eight home runs, 23 RBI and an .869 slugging percentage. Gillespie over her last 21 contests hit .426 (26-for-61) with 18 RBI to raise her average 54 points.

Gillespie, who tied for the team lead with 13 multi-hit games, is one of two for LIU to compete in all 50 contests this season and one of three to start 49 games. She is the first Blackbird named first team all-region since 2001, when Shannon Payne, Tiffany Cooley and Sonia Zapata earned the honor.

The Blackbirds (22-28, 15-5 NEC) won 18 of their last 24 games before the conference tournament to close in second place, marking the sixth straight season they finished at least first or second.