May 20, 2004

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced the 2004 All-Northeast Region Softball Team on Wednesday, May 19. Providence senior utility player Cori Van Dusen (Riverside, Calif.) was named to the first team, while junior second baseman Kalena Petersen (Mission Viejo, Calif.) earned second team honors.

Van Dusen, who also has earned BIG EAST second team honors twice (2002, 2004), was tabbed as an All-Northeast Region team member for the first time in her career. She saw action on the mound, outfield and first base. As a pitcher, Van Dusen led the Friars in wins (15), innings pitched (180.1), complete games (18) and finished second in strikeouts (125). At the plate, she led the team in home runs (10) and walks (20), finished second in RBI (35) and fourth in batting average (.298).

Petersen set Providence College records with a .407 batting average and 74 hits in 2004. In addition to leading the team in batting average and hits, Petersen also ranked first on the squad in at bats (182), runs (37), slugging percentage (.621) and on base percentage (.389). She finished second with nine home runs and 12 doubles.

Providence finished the 2004 season with a 34-20-1 overall record, including a 10-10 mark in BIG EAST play, good for fifth-place. The Friars, who were picked to finish 11th in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, enjoyed their best season since 1995 when they posted a 38-17 overall mark, including a 12-8 mark in the conference.

2004 NFCA ALL-NORTHEAST REGION SOFTBALL TEAM
First Team
P - Megan Meyer, Seton Hall
P - Heather Beintema, Rider
C - Megan Evans, Virginia Tech
1B - Kristen Brust, Stony Brook
2B - Laura Leonetti, Brown
3B - Hayley Durham, Stony Brook
SS - Jamie Haas, Boston University
OF - Amanda Tu, Rider
OF - Robin Flier, Villanova
OF - Tanya Rose, Syracuse
DP -  Nikki Childress, Rutgers
UT - Cori Van Dusen, Providence


Second Team
P - Kelli Arnold, UMass
P - Andee Lindgren, Albany
P - Uchenna Omakaro, Brown
P - Kara Brotemarkle, Harvard
P - Alison Higgs, Iona
C - Jaimie Wirkowski, Brown
1B - Laura Taylor, Seton Hall
2B - Kalena Petersen, Providence
3B - Katie Jo Kelley, UMass
SS - Katie Pierce, Seton Hall
SS - Hilary Puglia, UMass
OF - Laura Sandanato, Fairfield
OF - Cassie Morales, Syracuse
OF - Kelly Brown, Virginia Tech
DP - Alycia Fitzpatrick, Holy Cross
UT - Maddy Boulden, Rider