For Immediate Release: May 12, 2004
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

Five Binghamton softball players named all-conference

VESTAL, N.Y.--- Senior catcher Jessica Chellis (Tunkhannock, Pa./ Tunkhannock), junior center fielder Jessica Dima (Staten Island, N.Y./ Port Richmond), sophomore shortstop Rose Barre (Watertown, N.Y./ General Brown), sophomore second baseman Nicole Vitello (Olean, N.Y./ Olean) and freshman third baseman Sara Eppolito (Manlius, N.Y./ Fayetteville-Manlius) have all been named to the America East All-Conference softball teams. Chellis was named to the first team, Dima, Barre and Vitello were named to the second team while Eppolito was named to the All-Rookie Team.

For Chellis, it marks the third consecutive season that she has earned first-team honors. This season, she was fourth on the team in hitting with a .309 batting average and tied for second with six home runs. She also drove in 16 runs. Defensively, she threw out 11 would-be base stealers and picked off another four runners.

"Jessica is well-respected in this conference," head coach Holly Brown said. "Other teams have seen the talent that we have seen in her all along. She will be greatly missed by our program."

Dima earns all-conference honors for the first time in her career. She finished second on the team in hitting with a .318 batting average. Her 12 doubles led the team and tied the sixth-highest, single-season total in program history. She also belted three home runs and was third on the squad with 19 RBI.

"Jessica had an outstanding year defensively," Brown said. "She also showed great improvement offensively and was tough to strike out."

Barre led the team with 25 RBI and nine stolen bases. She also finished the season with a .310 batting average and tied for second with six home runs. Barre was named the America East Conference Player of the Week for March 14-20.

"Rose improved both offensively and defensively this season," Brown said. "She is an aggressive player who plays with her heart on her sleeve."

Vitello led the team with a school-record seven home runs and was second on the team with 23 RBI. She homered in four straight games and finished the season with a .300 batting average.

"Nicole improved a lot as a power hitter this season," Brown said. "We are looking for her to further improve next season."

In her first season, Eppolito started 41 games at third base and finished the season with a .305 batting average, three home runs and 13 RBI.

"Sara showed a lot of potential her first season," Brown said. "We are looking to capitalize on her abilities in the future."

Binghamton finished the season with a 17-23-2 record.