UTICA, NY- Junior Nicole Rice (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South) of the Utica College softball team was named first team All-Region for the Northeast region, announced by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) on Wednesday. 
 
Rice, who was named the Empire 8 Conference's Co-Player of the Year, is making her second appearance on the All-Region list, after earning second team honors last season.  Rice batted .542 in 14 conference games and led Utica with a .466 overall batting average, 30 runs scored, and 64 total bases throughout the season. She also had a conference-leading 54 hits.  The everyday second baseman committed just one error in E8 play this season, for a fielding percentage of .976.
 
The Pioneers finished the season 20-18 overall, including going 14-4 in their final 18 games. Utica advanced to the Empire 8 Championship game for the third time in program history and the first time since 2013.  UC has also won at least 20 games in five of the last seven seasons.