May 6, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - The University of Dayton Flyers were honored on Tuesday by the Atlantic 10 for several individual performances in softball.

Erin Lafayette and Laura Matthews were selected to the Academic All-Conference team for their abilities in the classroom and on the field. The two selections were the most of any A-10 member; Charlotte, Fordham, George Washington, Massachusetts, St. Bonaventure, Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis and Temple all had one recipient.

LaFayette set numerous career bests including wins (10), strikeouts (112) and innings pitched (178). In 39 appearances LaFayette collected 4.40 strikes per seven innings and allowed 3.07 walks in seven innings as well. In addition, LaFayette set a new personal-best striking out nine batters against Rhode Island. She followed up the performance against St. Bonaventure striking out eight batters apiece in each game of the series.

Matthews was an ever present force at the plate on both offense and defense. She garnered A-10 Player of the Week honors for her play in the Eastern Kentucky Invitational. Matthews went 5-of-8 in the tournament with two multi-hit games. Matthews also made the game-saving out by tagging the runner at home on an errant pitch. At catcher, Matthews threw out 16 runners attempting to steal a base, her career best.

Freshman shortstop Emily Stegeman received All-Rookie Honors for her on-field abilities. Stegeman started all 51 games in her first season hitting .296 with 40 hits, she also had 88 assists ranking her second on the team. In addition, Stegeman helped the Flyers to one of the best fielding percentages when she posted a .958 this season.

Sophomore Molly Meyer earned All-Atlantic 10 Honorable Mention for her performance this season. Meyer was a selection on last year's All-Rookie team. In 51 games, Meyer racked up 58 hits, eight doubles and eleven stolen bases. In addition, Meyer boasted a .988 fielding percentage with six outfield assists.

In addition to the Atlantic 10 achievements, the University of Dayton Flyers under the guidance of head coach Cara Clark achieved their first 20 win season in three years. In addition, Clark's 20 wins is the most by any first year head coach at UD.