Dicranian and Papas named to Empire 8 All-Tournament Team
Hilton, NY–Russell Sage College's softball team had two players selected for the 2021 Empire 8 Softball All-Tournament Team. Junior pitcher/first baseman Taylor Dicranian (Bennington, VT/Mt. Anthony Union) and junior outfielder Arianna Papas (Castleton, NY/Maple Hill) were both recognized for their play during the course of the tournament.
RSC wrapped their tremendous season with a record of 17-6. Along the way, the team strung together an eight-game win streak, while three players earned Empire 8 First Team All-Conference citations, and the Gators also had three players honored with weekly awards from the Empire 8. Additionally, Papas and Dicranian were both named to the 2021 NFCA All-Region teams as Papas was a first-team selection and Dicranian earned a spot on the second team.
On the season, Papas finished the year with a team-leading 45 hits, .523 batting average, with three homeruns and three triples. A 23-game starter, her 2021 numbers place her 19th in single-season hits, 23rd with 10 doubles, 16th in triples, 12th in runs scored (33), while her .523 batting average ranks second in the Gator record book. In the team's three Empire 8 tournament games, Papas batted .375 with a .875 slugging percentage having added two doubles, a triple and was perfect defensively in the outfield.
Dicranian worked both in the circle and at the plate this spring, excelling in both areas. She ranks second all-time in single-season victories (15), while having worked 115.1 innings (14th best), 15th in appearances (22), with a 3.76 ERA that also ranks 22nd best. At the plate, she batted .494 with 41 hits, a team-best 13 doubles and added 20 RBI's. The 41 hits ranks 28th best in single-season performances, while her 13 doubles is 10th best. On her career, she has tallied 19 career doubles already and is 13th best on the career record book. She has now appeared in 43 games, which ranks 13th best, while adding work in 180.0 innings which is 16th best. She is also 10th with 16 career victories.
Dicranian, who saw time at both first base and pitching had a .222 batting average with two doubles, a .444 slugging percentage with a .900 fielding percentage and worked in 11.1 innings with a complete game as well.
All told, the Gators combined for a .331 batting average with 50 doubles, 11 homeruns, and 65 extra-base hits under the guidance of head coach Erica Li. The team's 2021 numbers rank sixth in wins (17), fifth in team batting average, eighth in doubles, while their 8-game win streak mid-season also ranks fourth best in longest win streaks.
2021 Empire 8 Softball Championship All-Tournament Team
Alyssa Guitron, Jr., OF, Alfred
Tatiana Mejia, Jr., 3B, Alfred
Mara Moore, Jr., C, Alfred
Jessica Wilcox, Gr., P, Alfred *
Taylor Dicranian, Jr., P/1B, Russell Sage
Ariana Papas, Jr., OF, Russell Sage
Sammie Torlish, Sr., SS, St. John Fisher
Allie Klonowski, So., OF, St. John Fisher
Emily Trotman, Sr., P/3B, St. John Fisher
Sara Stransky, Sr., 3B, Utica
* Named Most Outstanding Player
