FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 27, 2007

Nicole Riley and Christie Lotti Earn
ECAC All-New England Honors

Providence, RI—Two Rhode Island College student-athletes were named to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Softball All-Star teams this afternoon for their performances on the diamond this season. Senior Nicole Riley (North Providence, RI) earned Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-ECAC honors, while junior first basemen Christie Lotti (Waterford, CT) represented RIC on the Second Team

Riley was a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Second Team All-American, a two-time NCAA Regional All-Tournament pick, a two-time All-New England selection, a two-time Little East Conference Pitcher of the Year, and a two-time First Team All-Little East Conference honoree. Riley set the longest winning streak in NCAA Division III softball history (43), putting an additional eight victories between the previous record-holder. The 2007 Cox Sports Television Spring Female Athlete of the Year posted a record of 29-5 with a 1.12 earned run average in 219.1 innings of work. She struck of 233 batters and logged 12 shutouts in 43 appearances, including 36 starts. Riley is the program’s all-time leader in career wins (77), games started (98), relief appearances (24), and shutouts (23), while ranking second in strikeouts (600) and innings pitched (628.1).

Lotti, a three-year standout at first base, is a three-time All-New England selection, a member of the 2007 NCAA New England Regional All-Tournament team, the 2006 and 2007 Little East Conference Player of the Year, the 2005 Little East Conference Rookie of the Year, and three-time First Team All-Little East Conference pick. In 48 games this season, Lotti paced Rhode Island College in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.424), doubles (13), hits (67), total bases (111), triples (11), and slugging percentage (.703). In just three short seasons, she has rewritten the all-time career records. Lotti owns the highest career batting average (.424), doubles (33), hits (185), home runs (12), runs scored (126), and triples (28).

Under the direction of Head Coach Maria Morin, Rhode Island College broke the program’s single-season wins record this past season, sporting a 41-7 mark and a .854 winning percentage. The 10th-ranked Anchorwomen captured their second straight Little East Conference Tournament Championship, third consecutive LEC Regular Season title, their first NCAA Regional Championship and advance to the NCAA National Championship Round for the first time in school history.

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