Six Lady Knights tabbed All-Region selections

Posted 6/4/15

The CCRI Lady Knights’ softball season recently ended with their second consecutive Region XXI title and trip to the District K Tournament, where they lost to Delaware Tech and District Champion …

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Six Lady Knights tabbed All-Region selections

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The CCRI Lady Knights’ softball season recently ended with their second consecutive Region XXI title and trip to the District K Tournament, where they lost to Delaware Tech and District Champion Mercyhurst North East. 

The Lady Knights did receive some very good news this week with six players being named All-Region XXI: sophomore co-captain Taylor Butler (North Kingstown, R.I.), freshman co-captain Maxine DeLuise (Warwick, R.I.), freshman Meghan Rousseau (Richmond, R.I.), freshman Jenna Urso (West Warwick, R.I.) and freshman Kristina Rodriguez (North Kingstown, R.I.) earned First Team All-Region XXI honors, while freshman Mikayla Fernandez (Burrillville, R.I.) earned Honorable Mention All-Region XXI honors.

In addition, head coach Liz Afonso earned Region XXI Coach of the Year honors and the Lady Knights also received the Sportsmanship Award.   

Butler earns All-Region XXI honors for the second time in her career. As a sophomore, Butler was named a co-captain and led the Lady Knights with an impressive 2.81 ERA. She was 6-3 with two saves and 51 strikeouts in 44.2 innings pitched. In addition, batting in the two-hole, she had a .385 average with 20 hits, 18 runs scored and 10 RBI.

As a freshman, Butler burst onto the scene for the Lady Knights. Butler served as a pitcher, outfielder and infielder. She was another offensive catalyst at the top of the batting order for CCRI, utilizing her “slap” batting approach from the left side, which made her a very tough out. 

Butler led CCRI with 36 hits, adding 13 RBI and 22 runs scored while stealing 11 bases. In the circle, Butler led the Lady Knights with a 2.75 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 56 innings pitched and was tied for the team lead with six victories.

“Taylor has been a huge asset to this team for the last two years as a pitcher, infielder and outfielder,” Afonso said of her sophomore co-captain. “She will be greatly missed next year.”

DeLuise was the Lady Knights’ other co-captain and half of the CCRI battery. “Max” was always in the heart of the CCRI lineup and was an offensive juggernaut batting an impressive .659 with 27 hits, including 14 extra base hits. She also led the team with 21 RBI, 18 runs scored and four stolen bases.

In addition, she added 10 walks making her on-base percentage near the .750 mark, while charting multi-hit games in 10 of the 14 Lady Knights’ contests this year.

“Maxine and Taylor made up the battery of this team and excelled us to region championships,” Afonso said. “Maxine is a force to be reckoned with both offensively and defensively.  We hope to continue that success as she returns next year.”

Rousseau was the Lady Knights’ left fielder and leadoff hitter and often set the table for Butler and DeLuise. Rousseau used her tremendous speed and patience at the plate to get on base.  She led CCRI with 13 walks while adding 17 hits, tied for third on the Lady Knights. She added 11 RBI, three doubles, a home run and three stolen bases while leading the Lady Knights with 22 runs scored. 

“Meghan is a great outfielder and has a great bat,” Afonso said.  “She is fast on the bases and plays smart, heads-up ball.”

Urso started the season slowly, as she battled through a minor injury but once healthy became an important contributor for CCRI. She took over at the important shortstop position and batted in the middle of the batting order. Urso had a .297 batting average with 11 hits, including three doubles and two triples with 13 runs scored and 11 RBI. 

“Jenna came in as a freshman this year and gave us great strength at the shortstop position and will return next year in that role,” Afonso said.

Rodriguez started every game for the Lady Knights in centerfield and was the premier defensive outfielder in the region, utilizing her speed and tracking ability to easily snag fly balls. Rodriguez was also a force at the plate with an impressive .316 batting average, with 12 hits including four doubles and a triple. She also registered 13 runs scored and eight RBI. 

Fernandez was another freshman who seized the opportunity to get playing time and took full advantage of her chance to become a starter at second base. Fernandez had her best games in regionals when the Lady Knights really needed it. For the season, Fernandez batted .385 with 15 hits, including four doubles and three triples with 13 RBI and 11 runs scored.

“Mikayla took on the role of second baseman since there was a need for one on the team,” Afonso said. “She more than performed there and also helped out offensively as a solid hitter this year.” 

“We had a very good year despite the weather and many schedule changes. We look forward to the return of Maxine, Jenna, Kristina, Meghan and Mikayla next year as we build upon the powerhouse that they already are.”

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