West Hartford, CT - University of Hartford softball player Amanda Sais was named to the ESPN The Magazine All-District First Team on Thursday, as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Sais, who was recognized on the All-District Second Team a year ago, was one of 22 players honored from the region and one of only five players who compete in the America East Conference. Student-athletes must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher to be considered, and voting is done by members of CoSIDA. Sais is now eligible for the Academic All-America Team, which will be announced later in May.
"This award further demonstrates what Amanda has accomplished in her four years, combining her athletic achievements with academic excellence,” stated head coach Todd Randall. “She personifies what every student-athlete should strive to become."
Sais, a senior, sports a 3.88 GPA and will graduate this month with a degree in psychology. The 2009 America East All-Conference Team selection led Hartford offensively in 2009 with a .315 batting average, including a team-high 39 hits and 23 runs scored. The right fielder was one of three players to start and play in every game this season. In the classroom, Sais is a three-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association Scholar Athlete, and a three-time America East Honor Roll and Commissioner's Honor Roll selection
With a career batting average of .310, Sais has been one of Hartford's most consistent offensive players over the past four seasons. The four-year starter has etched her name throughout the Hartford record book. She ranks atop the Hawks' all-time career lists in hits (158), runs (91), games played (170) and at-bats (510), and is fourth on the all-time list with 34 stolen bases.
Hartford finished the year with an overall record of 19-22, including a 9-9 record overall in the America East. The Hawks' five seniors (Lindsey Anrico, Kristen Cericola, Kayla Demarest, Catherine Granato and Sais) graduate with 80 wins over four years (80-93; 0.462), becoming the all-time winningest class in the program's Division I history.
