May 7, 2008

Chicago, Ill. - Five UIC softball players received All-Horizon League accolades on Wednesday night, highlighted by Newcomer of the Year honors being awarded to freshman first baseman Alicia Abbott.

In addition to the league's top rookie honors, Abbott was also named to the Horizon League All-Newcomer team after earning a starting nod for the Flames at first base her freshman year. Abbott proved to have an immediate impact for the Flames, hitting .297 (49-for-167) with 11 doubles and 22 RBI.

The All-Horizon League First Team featured Flames pitcher/designated player Sarah Clynes and shortstop Brooke Frydendall. Representing UIC on the All-Horizon League Second Team were center fielder Ashlee Ackerman and right fielder Melissa Marinacci.

Clynes has compiled numerous league awards since her arrival in 2006, including Newcomer of the Year and 2007 Co-Player of the Year honors. This year's honor marks her sixth award from the conference.

The junior leads the Flames with a .379 batting average (64-for-169). Clynes ranks second in the league in hits (64), doubles (14) and home runs (12).

The St. Louis native also guides the Flames in the circle with 129 strikeouts in 186.0 innings pitched. Clynes already ranks in six UIC career pitching categories. The junior is sixth in innings pitched (579.1) and strikeouts (406), seventh in complete game (50), eighth in appearances (95) and wins (45) and is tied for ninth in shutouts (12).

Frydendall came on strong at the plate in the second half of the season, improving her batting average from .176 to .492 in league contests. In 18 conference games, the sophomore led the league in doubles (10), ranked second in hits (29) and was third in and batting average (.492) and on-base percentage (.523).

Ackerman was named to the First Team and All-Newcomer team after transferring from Arizona Western Community College in 2007. The senior had another impressive offensive year, hitting .324 (55-for-170) with 34 runs and a team-best 10 stolen bases. Ackerman was also named to the Horizon League All-Academic Team.

After playing two years at first and third base, Marinacci played her first full season in right field. Batting .289 (48-for-161), the junior ranked second on the team with six home runs and 26 RBI.

No. 5 seeded UIC faces No. 8 Youngstown State in the first round of the 2008 Horizon League Championship on Thursday, May 8 at Loyola Softball Park in Chicago, Ill. at 11 a.m. CST.

2008 UIC Horizon League Award Winners

Newcomer of the Year: Alicia Abbott (Freshman/Infield)

First Team

Sarah Clynes (Junior Pitcher/Designated Player)

Brooke Frydendall (Sophomore/Infield)

Second Team

Ashlee Ackerman (Senior/Outfield)

Melissa Marinacci (Junior/Outfield)

All-Newcomer Team

Alicia Abbott

All-Academic Team

Ashlee Ackerman (Senior/Outfield)