Norcio And Weimer Pick Up All-MAC Honors
5/10/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo softball junior Savanna Norcio and freshman Katie Weimer were honored by the Mid-American Conference on Tuesday when the league announced its postseason awards. Norcio was named to the All-MAC First Team, while Weimer was named to the league's All-Freshman squad.
"It is a blessing for Savanna and Katie to be recognized for all of the hard work that they put in this season," said head coach Trena Peel. "Both of these young ladies earned the right to have their names on the first-team All-Conference ballot and the All-Freshman Team."
Norcio led the Bulls offensively this season, hitting .382 for the year including .403 in Mid-American Conference Play. Norcio's batting average is the fourth highest in school history for a single season and her 17 doubles this year are the third most. Norcio set career highs this year in hits (58), doubles (17), triples (2), home runs (5) and RBIs (26). She drove in 15 runs in conference play and hit three of her five home runs against the MAC. She had three-hit games three times this season and finished with 18 multi-hit games. Through three season, Norcio is now has a career batting average of .347 and her 30 doubles are already tied for sixth in school history.
"Savanna has been a consistent hitter for us the last three years," said Peel. "She has fought through injuries and persevered to be an offensive leader for the team. I'm proud of her for stepping up for the team during our MAC Season. As our lead-off hitter she did a great job of setting the tone in the first inning. I'm proud of her for accomplishing this accolade and she definitely deserves it."
Weimer had the best season ever recorded by a UB freshman and one of the finest years in school history as she finished second on the team in batting at .329. Weimer broke a 15-year school record with 49 RBIs this season and her 12 home runs are the second most in a single-year by a UB player. Weimer also finished tied for third in a single year with four doubles. Over the course of the season, the freshman slugged .641, while finishing with an on base percentage of over .395. More impressively was the fact that Weimer was one of the toughest Bulls to strikeout as she had just 17 in 191 plate appearances. Weimer had a career-high five RBIs at SEC foe Arkansas earlier this year and she drove in at least four runs three different times this season. She had 14 multi-hit games and earlier this year was named MAC East Player of the Week after a stretch that saw the Orchard Park, NY native go 12-of-17 from the plate as she batted .706 with three home runs and eight RBIs. For the year, Weimer led the Bulls in at bats, triples, home runs, RBIs, total bases, and slugging percentage.
"Katie has been a student of the game all season," said Peel. "It's no surprise that she earned the right to be named to the All-Freshman Team. She is invested in the process of becoming one of the greatest players to wear Buffalo across her chest. I'm happy for her and I look forward to seeing her develop over the next three years. The sky is the limit for her."
