Three Bulls Earn All-MAC Recognition
5/20/2021 2:09:00 PM | Softball
BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo softball team saw three student-athletes earn Mid-American Conference postseason honors on Thursday. Senior Anna Aguon and sophomore Alexis Lucyshyn were named to the All-MAC First Team while junior Alexis Matheney earned second team honors. This is the second straight season that the Bulls have placed multiple student-athletes on the All-MAC first team.
"I'm so happy for Anna, Lucy and Lexie," said head coach Mike Ruechel. "In a tough year they worked extremely hard and I am proud of their contributions to this program."
Aguon, who was also named to the NCFA All-Mideast Region First Team, earns All-MAC first team honors for the third straight season after putting together the best season of her career, posting a .392 batting average to go along with a team-best 60 hits, 12 doubles, 14 home runs, 36 RBI and 42 runs scored while leading the Bulls with a .758 slugging percentage and a .497 on base percentage. The Vancouver, WA native started all but one game for the Bulls this season in left field, recording a .976 fielding percentage.
The Vancouver, WA native set the program record with 111 runs scored. She also ranks second in career batting average (.379) and home runs (27), third in doubles (36), triples (6) and walks (58) and fourth in career hits (171).
"There's a reason why Anna has won this award for three consecutive years," said Ruechel. "Her leadership and dedication to getting better every day are reflected in her recognized as one of the best in the conference."
Lucyshyn received All-MAC First Team honors for the first time in her young career. The sophomore was one of four Bulls to start all 53 games for UB, recording a .245 batting average with 37 hits, two doubles, 10 home runs, 30 RBI and 20 runs scored while recording a .457 slugging percentage. The Calgary, Alberta native was also a mainstay in the circle for the Bulls, compiling a 6-10 overall record in 27 appearances with a 5.81 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 97.2 innings pitched. Lucyshyn also recorded a .976 fielding percentage at first base.
"Lucy didn't have the opportunity to fully show off her game in a shortened season last year," said Ruechel. "This year she had something to prove, she excelled and the conference recognized it."
Matheney was named second team All-MAC for the first time in her career after cementing her place in the middle of the Bulls lineup all season long. The Lancaster, OH native posted a .311 batting average to go along with 46 hits, seven doubles, 11 home runs, 36 RBI and 34 runs scored while recording a .595 slugging percentage, good for second-best on the team, and a .428 on base percentage. The junior also anchored the Bulls outfield, recorded a .976 fielding percentage.
"Lexie has always been an integral part of our lineup," said Ruechel. "She's worked hard to understand her swing and has put in the work and the offensive output speaks to how much she has grown."
The Bulls finished the 2021 season with an 18-35 overall record and a 16-22 league mark for a conference winning percentage of .421 which is the highest since 2014 and the fourth-best in program history. Offensively, the Bulls smashed the program's home run record, hitting 64 home runs on the season off the bats of nine different players. Buffalo also recorded a program-best 212 RBI while recording 224 runs scored, good for second-best all time.
For the full list of NFCA All-Region Teams click here.
"I'm so happy for Anna, Lucy and Lexie," said head coach Mike Ruechel. "In a tough year they worked extremely hard and I am proud of their contributions to this program."
Aguon, who was also named to the NCFA All-Mideast Region First Team, earns All-MAC first team honors for the third straight season after putting together the best season of her career, posting a .392 batting average to go along with a team-best 60 hits, 12 doubles, 14 home runs, 36 RBI and 42 runs scored while leading the Bulls with a .758 slugging percentage and a .497 on base percentage. The Vancouver, WA native started all but one game for the Bulls this season in left field, recording a .976 fielding percentage.
The Vancouver, WA native set the program record with 111 runs scored. She also ranks second in career batting average (.379) and home runs (27), third in doubles (36), triples (6) and walks (58) and fourth in career hits (171).
"There's a reason why Anna has won this award for three consecutive years," said Ruechel. "Her leadership and dedication to getting better every day are reflected in her recognized as one of the best in the conference."
Lucyshyn received All-MAC First Team honors for the first time in her young career. The sophomore was one of four Bulls to start all 53 games for UB, recording a .245 batting average with 37 hits, two doubles, 10 home runs, 30 RBI and 20 runs scored while recording a .457 slugging percentage. The Calgary, Alberta native was also a mainstay in the circle for the Bulls, compiling a 6-10 overall record in 27 appearances with a 5.81 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 97.2 innings pitched. Lucyshyn also recorded a .976 fielding percentage at first base.
"Lucy didn't have the opportunity to fully show off her game in a shortened season last year," said Ruechel. "This year she had something to prove, she excelled and the conference recognized it."
Matheney was named second team All-MAC for the first time in her career after cementing her place in the middle of the Bulls lineup all season long. The Lancaster, OH native posted a .311 batting average to go along with 46 hits, seven doubles, 11 home runs, 36 RBI and 34 runs scored while recording a .595 slugging percentage, good for second-best on the team, and a .428 on base percentage. The junior also anchored the Bulls outfield, recorded a .976 fielding percentage.
"Lexie has always been an integral part of our lineup," said Ruechel. "She's worked hard to understand her swing and has put in the work and the offensive output speaks to how much she has grown."
The Bulls finished the 2021 season with an 18-35 overall record and a 16-22 league mark for a conference winning percentage of .421 which is the highest since 2014 and the fourth-best in program history. Offensively, the Bulls smashed the program's home run record, hitting 64 home runs on the season off the bats of nine different players. Buffalo also recorded a program-best 212 RBI while recording 224 runs scored, good for second-best all time.
For the full list of NFCA All-Region Teams click here.
Players Mentioned
UB Softball vs. Akron Double Header (4/30) @ 1pm
Thursday, April 24
UB Softball vs. Canisius Double Header (4/23) @ 1pm
Tuesday, April 22
UB Softball vs. Toledo (4/20) @ 12pm
Monday, April 14
UB Softball vs. Northern Illinois doubleheader (4/12) @ 1pm
Thursday, April 10
