WINTER PARK, Fla. – Just a few days removed from wrapping up her accomplished career, Eckerd College senior
Alex Sasso was honored as part of the 2012 All-Sunshine State Conference Softball Team announced by the league on Wednesday.
Named to the All-SSC Second Team at the second base position, Sasso was among 28 combined student-athletes that were chosen among a combined vote from the conference head coaches and each institution's sports information director.
Sasso is the first Eckerd softball student-athlete to collect all-conference accolades since former third baseman Lindsey Reynolds was honored in 2006.
“I told Alex I was so proud of her and everything she did over the course of the year,” an elated EC Head Coach
Josh Beauregard said. “She did an outstanding job and is deservedly being recognized for her hard work this season.”
Sasso started 51 of 53 games in her final season, leading the team in batting average at a .314 clip. She also paced the Tritons in hits (44), doubles (12), sacrifice hits (9), total bases (56) and on-base percentage (.381).
The native of Holbrook, N.Y., is the school's all-time leader in walks drawn with 74, ranks third in career doubles with 31, rates fifth in career hits with 155 and will go down in the Eckerd softball record books ranking in the top 10 in career games played, innings pitched, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, batting average and total bases.
Sasso's versatility on the diamond was invaluable to the squad, seeing significant time on the infield, the pitcher's mound and the outfield. She drove in three runs apiece in games against Lindenwood (Mo.) University (Feb. 12) and Saint Leo University (April 25).
Rollins College outfielder Monica Meadows was tabbed the SSC Player of the Year, University of Tampa ace Deanna Henriott was selected as Pitcher of the Year and UT's Meagan Burke was named the SSC Freshman of the Year.
The Spartans cleaned up the major awards as Leslie Kanter was also chosen SSC Coach of the Year.
2012 ALL-SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE SOFTBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
1B - Aimee Halpin (Rollins, Jr)
2B - Krista Rodden (Rollins, Sr)
3B - Sarah Broeseker (Barry, Jr)
SS - Natalia Ojeda (Barry, Jr)
C - Becky Vyzas (Tampa, Sr)
OF - Grace Collins (Barry, Sr)
OF - Lawna Hunter (Rollins, Sr)
OF - Monica Meadows (Rollins, Sr)
OF - Karlyn Scott (Florida Southern, Sr)
DP - Jessica Tabor (Barry, Sr)
UT - Brianna Smith (Barry, Sr)
P - Kayla Cox (Tampa, So)
P - Deanna Henriott (Tampa, Sr)
At-Large - Katie Kelton (Nova Southeastern, Sr)
Player of the Year - Monica Meadows, Rollins
Pitcher of the Year - Deanna Henriott, Tampa
Freshman of the Year - Meagan Burke, Tampa
Coach of the Year - Leslie Kanter, Tampa
SECOND TEAM
1B - Meagan Burke (Tampa, Fr)
2B -
Alex Sasso (Eckerd, Sr)
3B - Brittany Martin (Florida Southern, Sr)
SS - Jaimee Vega (Nova Southeastern, Jr)
C - Brittany Yates (Saint Leo, Sr)
OF - Meredith Foster (Rollins, Sr)
OF - Alex Garris (Saint Leo, Jr)
OF - Alyssa Goldsmith (Barry, Sr)
OF - Lorena Spaulding (Nova Southeastern, Fr)
DP - Laura Saladrigas (Nova Southeastern, Jr)
UT - Lauren Cole (Florida Tech, Sr)
P - Hope Bitzer (Rollins, Sr)
P - Christine Clark (Florida Southern, Sr)
