Softball | 5/10/2017 8:42:00 AM

ROCHESTER, NY – Five members of the RIT softball team earned 2017 All-Liberty League Softball Awards, announced by the league on Wednesday, May 10. Freshman shortstop Erin Guinan (Geneva, NY/Geneva) was named the Liberty League Rookie of the Year.
 
Guinan, RIT's second consecutive Rookie of the Year selection, was also a first team selection, along with senior pitcher Sierra Valentine (Rochester, NY/Greece Athena) and sophomore infielder Danielle Hotz (Drexel Hill, PA/Upper Darby). Junior pitcher Lauren Mahar (Rotterdam, NY/Schalmont) was a second team pick, while senior outfielder Tori Blaker (Corning, NY/Corning-Painted Post West) was an honorable mention selection.
 
Guinan enjoyed an incredible season for the Tigers in 2017, leading the team with a .423 batting average to go along with 55 hits (led the Liberty League), 80 total bases, (second) 32 runs scored (second), 11 doubles, four home runs, 25 RBIs, six stolen bases, a .460 on-base percentage, and a .615 slugging percentage. The 80 total bases are the fifth most in one season at RIT, her 55 hits are eighth most, while her four homers are tied for ninth most. In addition, Guinan, a four-time Liberty League Rookie of the Week selection, had a strong .954 fielding percentage in 151 chances while playing shortstop.
 
Valentine, the 2016 Liberty League Pitcher of the Year, is a first team selection for the second straight year. She finished the 2017 season with a 10-7 record, 2.14 earned run average, 11 complete games and 94 strikeouts to just 26 walks in 111 1/3 innings, as opponents hit just .262 against her. Valentine was the RIT Female Athlete of the Week and Liberty League Pitcher of the Week on April 3.
 
Valentine finished her RIT career with 30 wins, a 3.28 earned run average, 56 complete games, five shutouts and 392 strikeouts over 474 1/3 innings, spanning 91 appearances. Valentine, a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, was also a 2016 National Fast Pitch Coaches Association (NFCA) third team pick.
 
Hotz, the 2016 Liberty League Rookie of the Year, is a first team selection for the second consecutive year. RIT's second baseman, Hotz was second on the team with a .370 batting average, to go along with eight doubles, two triples, 19 RBIs, and a team-best 14 walks. Hotz was also second on the team with a .452 on-base percentage and .490 slugging percentage. In two seasons, Hotz has played in 69 games and is a .359 hitter with 75 hits, 44 runs scored, 16 extra-base hits and 36 RBIs.

Mahar finished the season with an 8-7 record, 2.33 earned run average, nine complete games and three shutouts. Mahar, who struck out 66 batters in 96 1/3 innings over 20 appearances, held opponents to a .259 batting average. Mahar, the RIT Female Athlete of the Week on March 13, won her first four starts of the season. In three seasons at RIT, Mahar has 23 wins, a 3.31 earned run average, 34 complete games, and six shutouts, while striking out 223 batters in 310 2/3 innings.
 
Blaker, a 2016 Liberty League second team pick and 2015 honorable mention selection, played in 37 games for the Tigers in 2017, batting .298 with eight doubles, two home runs, and 24 RBIs, while scoring 21 runs. In four seasons at RIT, Blaker was a career .329 hitter, with 120 hits, 27 doubles, five triples, four home runs, 56 RBIs, and 58 runs scored in 120 games played.
 
RIT finished the 2017 season with a 22-16 record, finishing second in the Liberty League standings, while advancing to the Liberty League Tournament for the second consecutive season.