May 16, 2008

Contact: Brian McCann

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Amanda Macenko, who was named the Horizon League Pitcher of the Year this season after tying her own school record with 26 wins, has been named second team All-Great Lakes Region by the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association.

"This is a great honor for Amanda," CSU head coach Angie Nicholson said. "She was definitely one of the driving forces behind our Horizon League regular season title this year and I am glad that the coaches in our region understand that.

"It is very comforting to know that Amanda was not only willing, but capable, of pitching every game for us this year because there is no bigger competitor than her. She was ready to pitch in every game and gave us everything that she had."

Just a sophomore, Macenko set Cleveland State records for wins (26), starts (38), complete games (35), appearances (46), innings pitched (273) and saves (3) this past year, leading the Horizon League in eight statistical categories.

In just two seasons at Cleveland State, Macenko already ranks as one of the top pitchers in school annals. She holds the CSU career mark for winning percentage (.684), is second in saves (5) and shutouts (13), third in wins (52), complete games (60), ERA (1.62) and strikeouts (425) and fifth in innings pitched (500.1).

After earning second team all-league honors as a freshman, she was a first team choice this season. She has been named the Horizon League Pitcher of the Week seven times during her career.

With Macenko doing the lion's share of the work in the circle, Cleveland State went 31-18 this past season, winning the Horizon League regular season title for the first time in program history and finishing second in the league tourney for the third time in four seasons. The effort marked the fifth time in school history that the Vikings won 30 or more games in a season, including a school record third straight season.

2008 All-Great Lakes Region Team

FIRST TEAM
Pitcher - Jordan Taylor (Michigan)
Pitcher - Nikki Nemitz (Michigan)
Catcher - Samantha Marder (Ohio State)
First Base - Lauren Haas (Southern Illinois)
Second Base - Samantha Findlay (Michigan)
Third Base - Kara Nelson (Illinois State)
Shortstop - Teddi Ewing (Michigan)
Outfield - Jherica Williams (Wright State)
Outfield - Alessandra Giampaolo (Michigan)
Outfield - Nikki Nicosia (Michigan State)
Utility/Pitcher - Amber Smith (Illinois State)
Utility/Non-Pitcher - Brittany Vanderink (Ohio State)

SECOND TEAM
Pitcher - Jackie Hill (Penn State)
Pitcher - Amanda Macenko (Cleveland State)
Catcher - Lana Armstrong (Illinois)
First Base - Ashley Strauss (Eastern Michigan)
Second Base - Gina Mondo (Michigan State)
Third Base - Amy Hudson (Central Michigan)
Shortstop - Bianca Mejia (Michigan State)
Outfield - Danielle Kinley (Penn State)
Outfield - Courtney Waters (Ohio University)
Outfield - Angela Findlay (Michigan)
Utility/Pitcher - Hayley Wiemer (Bowling Green)
Utility/Non-Pitcher - Jessica LeFevere (Michigan State)