May 7, 2008

COLLEGE PARK, MD. - All eight participating institutions were represented on the 2008 All-Atlantic Coast Conference Softball first- and second-teams, announced Wednesday evening at the league's annual pre-championship banquet on the campus of the University of Maryland. Virginia Tech's Angela Tincher, who broke the ACC's career wins, strikeouts and innings pitched records this season, earned the league's Pitcher of the Year Award for the third consecutive year.

North Carolina, which posted a school-record 49 wins and an 18-2 ACC record during the regular season, led all schools with six total team members, and also claimed the league's Player and Coach of the Year Awards. Florida State and Virginia Tech each added four to the first- and second-teams, while Georgia Tech, NC State and Maryland added two apiece. Boston College and Virginia rounded out the All-ACC squads with one team member each.

In her senior season, the Hokies' Tincher led the league with 30 wins against just six losses, propelling her team to a 41-15 overall record and the second seed in this week's ACC Championship. A native of Eagle Rock, Va., she rang up 532 strikeouts during the year, becoming one of only three pitchers in NCAA history to surpass the 2,000 strikeout mark. Tincher enters this week's tournament ranked among the nation's top three in ERA, strikeouts per seven innings, and hits allowed per seven innings.

Earning the Player of the Year award was North Carolina's Danielle Spaulding. A sophomore out of Fontana, Calif., Spaulding compiled a record of 15-2 inside the circle, while averaging .318 at the plate during the regular season. She currently ranks second nationally in hits allowed per seven innings, third in strikeouts per seven innings, and 12th with a 0.91 ERA.

After leading the league in both doubles and slugging percentage during the season, NC State's Alyssa Allbritten was selected as the ACC's Freshman of the Year. A catcher out of Palm Harbor, Fla., Allbritten led the Wolfpack and ranked fourth in the league with a .351 batting average, while also leading the team with 33 RBIs.

Bringing home the fourth ACC Coach of the Year award of her career was North Carolina's Donna J. Papa. Papa, now in her 17th year with the Tar Heels, led her team to a 49-9-1 overall record and the top seed in this week's ACC Championship. Now 654-387 in her career at North Carolina, she ranks second all-time in league history in overall wins and league wins.

Player of the Year
Danielle Spaulding, North Carolina

Pitcher of the Year
Angela Tincher, Virginia Tech

Freshman of the Year
Alyssa Allbritten, NC State

Coach of the Year
Donna J. Papa, North Carolina

2008 All-ACC First Team
Breanna Brown, North Carolina
Charisse Mariconda, Virginia Tech
Aileen Morales, Georgia Tech
Lisa Norris, North Carolina
Cassandra Palmer, North Carolina
Shanna Smith, NC State
Danielle Spaulding, North Carolina
Sarde Stewart, Maryland
Angela Tincher, Virginia Tech
Carly Wynn, Florida State

2008 All-ACC Second Team
Alyssa Allbritten, NC State
Jenny Belak, Maryland
Whitney Buckmon, Florida State
Whitney Haller, Georgia Tech
Kelsey Hoffman, Virginia Tech
Jennifer Jacobs, North Carolina
Amber Johnson, North Carolina
Tiffany McDonald, Florida State
Brittany Osmon, Florida State
Renee Ramos, Boston College
Jenna Rhodes, Virginia Tech
Carly Winger, Virginia