BOSTON – The University at Albany softball team earned 11 total All-Conference selections, led by Katie Falotico, Caitlyn Mitros, and Maranda Jimenez with First Team honors, the America East Announced Wednesday.
Falotico, a senior, has batted .254 this season in 37 games. She has totaled 31 hits, 14 of which have gone for extra bases. She has accounted for 31 runs, which puts her in sole possession of first place in the America East, and her 31 RBIs rank second in the conference only to her teammate Madison Petrella (37). A native of Emerson, N.J., Falotico has hit seven homeruns, six doubles, and one triple for a slugging percentage of .492. In addition to her First Team honors at second base, the second such honor of her career (2019), Falotico was also selected to the America East All-Academic Team.
Mitros, a sophomore, led the Great Danes with a .396 batting average, totaling 40 hits. Her average ranks second in the America East, and her hit total ranks third. In 101 at-bats, Mitros has two doubles, nine RBIs, and has accounted for 19 runs. The outfielder from Warminster, Pa., was also selected to the America East All-Rookie Team for her efforts in the 2021 season.
Jimenez, a senior, was named to the 2021 America East First Team All-Conference as the designated player. She has spent time at first base and in the pitching circle for the Great Danes in 2021. She has thrown her way to a 5.48 ERA in 52.1 innings, striking out 47 batters. At the plate, Jimenez has batted .319 with 18 RBIs on 30 hits. The California native was responsible for a walk-off grand slam against archrival Stony Brook earlier this year in extra innings, giving the Great Danes their first win of a crucial three-game sweep.
The Great Danes added two more players to the Second Team All-Conference: Wendi Hammond and Morgan Petty. Hammond has been a go-to for UAlbany in the pitching circle, tossing 117.0 innings for an ERA of 2.45 to lead the team and rank sixth in the conference. Petty has batted .302 in 39 games, knocking in 29 RBIs on 39 hits. She has 19 extra base hits, including six triples (leads America East) and seven homeruns (ranks third).
In addition to their Second Team All-Conference selections, both Hammond and Petty were named to the America East All-Rookie Team. They join previously mentioned Mitros along with sophomore catcher Madison Petrella, who leads the conference in RBIs at 37.
Two Great Danes were named to the America East All-Academic Team for their efforts on both the field and in the classroom: Falotico and Kelly Barkevich. Falotico sported a 3.92 GPA majoring in Business Administration, while Barkevich finalized her undergrad GPA at 3.95 in the same field. Barkevich has batted .302 this season with nine homeruns and 21 RBIs. She is currently pursuing her master's degree.
The Great Danes return to action tomorrow afternoon when the team faces No. 3 Stony Brook in opening round action of the America East Tournament. First pitch is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in Baltimore, Md.
 2021 UAlbany All-Conference Selections
First Team
Katie Falotico – Second Base
Caitlyn Mitros – Outfield
Maranda Jimenez – Designated Player
Second Team
Wendi Hammond – Pitcher
Morgan Petty – Outfield
All-Rookie Team
Wendi Hammond – Pitcher
Caitlyn Mitros – Outfield
Madison Petrella – Catcher
Morgan Petty – Outfield
All-Academic Team
Kelly Barkevich – 3.95 GPA
Katie Falotico – 3.92 GPA
