Yard, Banz Named NFCA All-Region

UNION, N.J. – Freshman Courtney Yard and senior Alicia Banz were named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association East All-Region Third-Team At-Large honorees, as announced by the NFCA on Monday. 

The New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year and a NJAC second-team all-star, Yard finished with an 18-13 overall record and a 1.68 earned run average to rank tied for third and 10^th, respectively, in the NJAC.  She also ranked second in the NJAC in innings pitched (199.2), strikeouts (152), appearances (33) and games started (29).  Her 18 wins are tied for the fifth most in single season history, while her 152 strikeouts are the second highest total.

A four-year starter, Banz was a NJAC first-team all-star and was named a 2012 Capital One Academic All-District 2 Softball Team.  In 2012, she led the team with four homeruns and was tied for the team lead in runs scored (28), while ranking second in RBI (24) and doubles (7).  Banz started 173 out of a possible 176 career games.

Yard and Banz are the sixth and seventh players under head coach Margie Acker to earn all-region honors.