(Herkimer, NY – May 2013) Five members of the Herkimer County Community College national championship women’s softball team have been named to NJCAA All-American Teams. First team selections include freshman catcher Samantha Smaldone (Delmar), sophomore infielder Jessica Patterelli (Canastota) and sophomore outfielder Stephanie Siriano (Sherrill). Making second team All-American are freshman DP/Utility Delaney Buckley (Utica) and freshman pitcher Toni Secreti (Baldswinville). Siriano and Patterelli are the first two-year first team All-Americans in the history of the Herkimer softball program.
Head Coach PJ Anadio said, “I am very proud of these young ladies being named NJCAA All-Americans. There are only 22 spots to be filled from the entire country, so for Herkimer to be recognized with five is amazing and a true sign of respect for the program. This is also a team accomplishment. Without the rest of the team pushing these five day in and day out to achieve excellence, they wouldn’t be where they are today.”
The Herkimer County Community College women’s softball team won the 2013 National Junior College Athletic Association Division III National Championship on Saturday, May 18 in Rochester Minnesota. The Generals had a 4-0 record in the national tournament and a season ending record of 43-2. They also won the NJCAA Region III women’s softball championship.
Siriano was named the Region III Player of the Year and Patterelli was named to the Region III All-Tournament Team. Siriano, Secreti, Patterelli, Smaldone and Buckley were named to the First Team All-Region.
Ashley Sterritt (Accord), Rebekah Kitchen (Delmar), Secreti and Siriano were named to the All Tournament Team at the World Series. The National Tournament MVP was awarded to Tina Karaqi (Thornwood) who was also awarded the Outstanding Offensive Player award. Secreti was recognized with the Outstanding Pitcher Award for the tournament.
Players pictured from top are as names first appear.