Kelleher becomes ninth Wheaton softball player to be named All-American

May 19, 2008

NORTON, MA- Wheaton College softball junior Stacey Kelleher (Brockton, MA/Brockton) has been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-America second team, drawing her initial national honor.

Kelleher is the ninth Lyon to earn an All-America accolade, becoming the first Wheaton player to land on the second squad since 2003, which was the last time a non-senior from the program drew the national honor. As the second-team designated player, she was one of 15 athletes to land on the second squad and among 45 to draw an All-America accolade. Five players from New England schools drew All-America laurels, as each placed on the second team.

This spring, Kelleher earned her second career NFCA All-New England first team award while also being named New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) All-Conference for the second time, landing on the top squad. It was her first complete season playing college softball, as each of her prior two campaigns were abbreviated due to injury.

Despite missing five games this season, Kelleher batted .384 with 26 runs and 25 RBI, falling just three RBI shy of the team lead. She was tops on the squad in on-base percentage (.431), tied for the team lead in bases on balls (7), and was second in doubles (12) and slugging percentage (.643) while tying for second in home runs (5).

Kelleher, who also saw time at first base, recorded 10 multiple-hit contests and at one point had a 14-game hitting streak. From the sixth inning on, Kelleher was even tougher to retire, batting .423 with an .885 slugging percentage and a .500 on-base clip. She slugged three home runs and three doubles with seven runs and seven RBI in the sixth inning or later.

During Wheaton's northern schedule, Kelleher hit .430 with 11 doubles, five home runs and 19 RBI in 27 games, slugging .759 while recording a .477 on-base percentage. In NEWMAC action, she played a critical role in Wheaton's 12-4 league mark by hitting .526 and slugging 1.000 during 13 games, ripping six doubles and four home runs while driving in 14.

For her 75-game career, Kelleher is a .395 hitter, having slugged .609 with 21 doubles and eight home runs. She has driven home 51 runs, scored 59 more and smacked 87 hits while walking more times (22) than striking out during her 247 plate appearances.

The Lyons finished the season 29-14 overall and placed second in the NEWMAC during the regular season before advancing as far as the league tournament semifinals. It marked the 19th time in 21 seasons of conference play that Wheaton advanced at least that far.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 5/19/08.
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