As we close out the month of May, the College of Staten Island softball program squeezed another prestigious award under its belt, as freshman Patricia Riches capped off her monster 2017 season with a first-team All-America citation from Fastpitch News (FPN). The online news magazine honored two teams of offensive players and pitchers with a collection of Honorable Mentions. Riches was one of 10 players nationally to be recognized on the first team.
Riches led the way for the Dolphins with a .522 batting average, breaking the school record for hits in a season with 70. The shortstop played every game at that position, and led the way in other categories like RBI with 50, setting the school record twice with seven in a single game. Riches was also the leader in doubles with 14 and home runs with six, boasting an inflated .588 on-base percentage thanks to 19 walks good for second on the squad.
Riches wrapped up her super season with CUNYAC and ECAC Metro NY/NJ Rookie of the Year honors, adding All-Region all-star kudos from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. She was also an All-Tournament player at this year’s NCAA Division III National Championship Regional at Williams College.
Dedicated to covering the sport of Women’s Fastpitch Softball, FPN provides news, analysis, opinions and coverage of College, High School, Professional and International Fastpitch leagues and organizations year-round through its website at www.fastpitchnews.com. St. John Fisher College’s Lindsey Thayer was named FPN’s DIII Pitcher of the Year, while Bay Path University’s Lauren Vallee was named Offensive Player of the Year.
