Wednesday, May 12, 2004

DAVIDIAN NAMED TO ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA REGIONAL TEAM

MEDFORD – In addition to her sharp play at second base and as the leadoff hitter for the Tufts Softball team, senior Deana Davidian (Pelham, NY/Pelham) was honored today for her sharp mind as well. The Academic All-America District 1 teams were announced, and Davidian was one of 11 players on the First Team. She now advances to the national ballot, with the Academic All-America teams to be determined shortly.

Davidian was the only New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) player on the First Team. She led the conference in hits with 42, tied for the league lead with 24 runs scored and was fourth with 55 total bases while hitting .365 for sixth in the league. Sure-handed at second base, she committed just four errors in 174 chances for a .977 fielding percentage.

Last week she was named to the All-NESCAC First Team and to the New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches' Association (NEISCA) Second Team for her play on the field.

The team's tri-captain is also actively involved outside the lines on campus. She's the treasurer of the Pre-Legal Society, a member of Tufts' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and also participates in Tufts' Ears for Peers, the confidential peer support hotline. A Clinical Psychology major, she is graduating on May 23 with a grade point average over 3.3.

Jen Mackey, Davidian's former infield partner earlier in her career, was a Academic All-American First Team selection in 2002. Nominees must be starters or important reserves with at least a 3.2 grade point average.

The Tufts Softball team finished the 2004 season with a 16-16 record. The Jumbos earned their fourth consecutive berth into the NESCAC Tournament, but for the first time failed to win it. Davidian graduates after a stellar four-year career in which she is third on the all-time hits list with 158.

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