May 20, 2010

ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis junior Kristin Nicoletti (St. Louis, Mo. / Oakville) became the first All-Region softball player in program history when she was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region second team Tuesday. She now advances to the 256-player All-America ballot.

Nicoletti, who is the only Billiken to start and play in all 57 games this season, moved up to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference first team as a designated player in 2010 after being named to the second team as a sophomore. She established program and league marks with 40 stolen bases this season. In all games, Nicoletti ranks third among league players in hits (64) and is sixth in batting average (.348). She posted a league-best 18 steals in A-10 tilts this season. Additionally, the sometimes outfielder is 11th in the nation with 0.7 steals per game.

SLU's leadoff batter led the club in nearly every offensive category, setting junior-class standards for batting average, runs (37), hits and total bases (86). Nicoletti's hits and total bases figures are second on the program's single-season lists, while her runs, doubles (11), at bats (184), walks (19), batting average and on-base percentage (.407) rank amongst the top 10. She also registered a team-high 16 multiple-hit games to go with six multiple-RBI outings.

In the A-10 Championship, Nicoletti sparked the offense as she had done all season with a team-best .417 average. During the regular season, she matched the school record for hits in a game with four at Saint Joseph's. It was her second time to tie the mark. Nicoletti eclipsed the program's career records for stolen bases (111) and runs (112) and moved up to third place in career hits (166). She is also fourth in total bases (411), seventh in at bats (539) and tied for ninth in doubles (22).

Also a standout in the classroom, Nicoletti earned a spot on the CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District first team, making her eligible for Academic All-America honors. She was recognized as a member of the A-10 All-Academic team in 2010 and has been named to the A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll four times.

Saint Louis Billikens Softball