UTICA, NY – Utica College junior shortstop Alysa Russell (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) was named to the 2015 ECAC Division III Upstate Softball All-Star team on Wednesday.

Russell finished her junior season ranked third in the Empire 8 Conference with a .472 batting average; she also added 50 hits and seven home runs. She ranked second in the conference with a .533 on base percentage and 41 runs scored. This season, she notched career-highs in runs scored (41), home runs (seven), triples (four), stolen bases (12), batting average (.472), and on base percentage (.533). She opened the season on a 16-game hitting streak and recorded at least one hit in 30-of-32 games played.  Russell also set new single-season records for slugging percentage (.868) and on base percentage (.533). To cap her impressive resume, she tied the College's single season record for runs scored (41).

Russell is now a three-time NFCA All-Region selection and a three time Empire 8 All-Conference pick.

She is also making a name for herself in the College's career record book.  She currently ranks first in career batting average (.432), slugging percentage (.702), and on base percentage (.469).  She ranks fourth in career hits (155), runs scored (101) and doubles (29). She also ranks third all-time in home runs (18), triples (seven) and total bases (252). Her 86 career RBIs rank fifth all-time at UC.

The Pioneers wrapped up their 2015 campaign with an 18-16 overall record.  This season marked the fifth straight year that Utica has finished above .500. Head Coach Pat Mineo picked up his 200^th career victory this Spring and he now holds a career record of 216-187 in 10 seasons at Utica.