June 18, 2008

PHILADELPHIA - Capping one of the most impressive single-season performances in Saint Joseph's softball history, sophomore catcher Brooke Darreff became the first Hawk since 2000 to be named to the ECAC All-Star First Team.

Only the second Hawk in program history to be named Atlantic 10 Softball Player of the Year, Darreff turned in one of the finest seasons in SJU history at the plate this year, leading the team with 53 hits and 33 RBI. Starting all 42 games for Saint Joseph's, the NFCA/Louisville Slugger All-Mid-Atlantic Region First Team honoree set a new single-season record for batting average, finishing the season at .461 to lead the conference and rank fifth nationally.

Finishing the season 12th in the nation in on-base percentage (.536), 16th in doubles per game (.33), and 81st in slugging percentage (.652), Darreff helped the Hawks to their first berth in the A-10 Tournament since 2005 and the team's most conference wins - 11 - since they won 12 in 2002. Darreff was even better with runners on base, batting .532 for the year, and .500 with runners in scoring position.

Darreff is just the seventh Hawk to earn ECAC All-Star honors and only the fourth to be named to the First Team. Teresa Andreani and Christina Kowalski were the last Hawks to be named All-Stars as both earned First Team accolades in 2000.