Sebasto and Hanrahan named Co-MVP of the Year :: Katie Kletzel named St. Francis & Clare and Most Improved in senior season.

June 11, 2007

Aston, Pa. - Sophomore standouts Caitlin Hanranhan and Angela Sebasto shared softball's 2007 Most Valuable Player award as announced by Head Coach Bill Saar and Assistant Coach Len Schuler at the third annual team banquet on May 31. Senior Katie Kletzel was presented with the St. Francis and Clare award and was named the teams most improved player while fellow co-captain Kristen Lawlor was presented with the 2007 Coach's award. Seniors Tracie Seagraves, Chandra Moore, Kristen Lawlor and Katie Kletzel also earned special recognition for their efforts throughout the season.

The Knights finished the season at 28-12 overall and 20-6 in Pennsylvania Athletic Conference play. They earned their second trip to the PAC Championship, had teammates named as all-Americans, as national all-region players, as all-conference players and the team continued to grow the bonds of friendship set by players who have graduated before them.

Director of Athletics Chuck Sack related this season's team dynamics to that of Charlotte's Web in his opening remarks, starting that this team has been "radiant, terrific and humble" in dealing with the teams continuing success and that the friendships that have been made here at Neumann will remain strong and memorable for years to come.

Prior to the announcement of this season's award winners team captains Danielle Hayes, Kristen Lawlor, and Katie Kletzel unveiled the Knights' 2006 championship banner that will hang in Neumann's Gymnasium in celebration of the 2006 team's accomplishment.

Each senior was then presented with a memory box from the underclassmen in recognition of their hard work and dedication to the team and Head Coach Bill Saar and Assistant Coach Len Schuler continued the in the celebration by announcing the season's award winners.

CO-MVP Caitlin Hanrahan, a Springfield, Pennsylvania native, batted .448 this season turning 60 hits into 46 runs for a team-high 109 total bases. Along with total bases she led the Knights in doubles, home runs, runs scored and stolen base percentage. Caitlin Hanrahan was named NFCA All-Region Third Team, All-PAC First Team and was a three time PAC Player of the Week.

Trenton, New Jersey native Angela Sebasto also received Co-MVP honors. The 2007 NFCA All-American hit .493 this season and recorded a 1.89 ERA. The former PAC Rookie of the Year became the conference's leader in strikeouts and batting average in 2007. She led Neumann's 2007 team in hits and triples and on April 14, 2007 Sebasto became the winningest pitcher in College history after recording her 27^th career victory in an 11-1 win over Wesley College. Angela Sebasto was named NFCA All-American, NFCA All-Region First Team, All-PAC First Team and was a three-time PAC Player of the Week.

Four-year team captain and 2007 MIP Katie Kletzel increased her statistical numbers as well as her playing time this season. As an underclassman, the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native threw 4 strikeouts in 4.0 innings pitched whereas she amassed 34 strikeouts this season alone in 78.2 innings. She also picked up 11 wins this season compared to the 6 career wins she carried into the season. The dominate handed pitcher has also matched her previous three year mark of four shutouts with an additional four this season.

In addition to being named the 2007 team's MIP Kletzel was presented with the program's highest honor, the 2007 St. Francis and Clare award. This award is presented to the individual who made significant contributions to the well-being of the team in terms of attitude, improvement and leadership and is one of the highest honors to be given to a Knight. This was the second time Kletzel had been presented with this honor. She was also the team's 2006 St. Francis and Clare honoree.

Team Co-Captain Kristen Lawlor rounded out the evening's honors. The four-year starting outfielder was presented with the 2007 Coach's Award. This award is given annually by the coach to a player who best demonstrates, throughout the season, the true spirit of Neumann softball. It is an award in which the means justify the end. It is given not only for hard work and personal improvement, but for a willingness to understand, to learn, to enter into a partnership with coach and teammates in an effort to recognize one's full potential. "Through her four-years on the team Kristen has brought excitement and spirit to the field. She has made us laugh and kept us going when we needed to," stated Assistant Coach Len Schuler. Kristen Lawlor is a 2007 All-PAC first Team Selection and is a 2007 PAC player of the Week honoree.

Sack, Saar and Schuler sent out one last thank you to the room of Neumann Knights' supporters for all their assistance, prayers, and encouragement throughout the season, official ending a very successful year.