All-American Status, DiLonardo and Fuqua Claim Post-Season Softball Accolades

Beaver Falls, PA – It was certainly a memorable 2012 campaign for the Geneva College softball team. In claiming its first Presidents’ Athletic Conference title, the Golden Tornadoes finished the season with an overall record of 30-19. Because of that success, many coaches across the country took note of some individual accomplishmentsand a pair of Geneva players was honored this week with All-American selections.

In the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association), senior pitcher Julie DiLonardo became the fourth player in school history to claim first team All-American status. Although Geneva had to forego a trip to the NCCAA national tournament to compete at the NCAA level, DiLonardo still did enough during her senior season to convince voters she was worthy of a first team selection.

DiLonardo and teammate Christina Fuqua were also honored at the NCAA level.Each was named a second team NFCA All-American in the first year Geneva players were eligible to be so honored.

DiLonardo finished her senior season with an ERA of 1.69 to go along with 279 strikeouts, which was good enough for the fifth highest total in NCAA Division III. She finished the year with single season school records for ERA, wins (26), strikeouts and innings pitched (298). She also set the school record for strikeouts, ERA and wins in a career.

Fuqua enjoyed a break-out sophomore season. While her offensive numbers were impressive in their own right with 53 hits, a .338 batting average and a team best 36 RBI,it was perhaps her defense that was even more outstanding. In 126 chances at second base this season, Fuqua committed just one error and posted an incredible .992 fielding percentage.

Geneva College is a comprehensive Christian college of the arts, sciences and professional studies. Founded in the tradition of the Reformed Christian faith, Geneva prepares students to serve Christ in all areas of society: work, family and the church. Geneva College’s philosophy of education is based on the Foundational Concepts of Christian Higher Education.