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Lerno, Coelho Named to All-Region Softball Team |
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Despite being just a second-year program in the most difficult region in the country, Cal State San Marcos softball earned a spot in the NAIA Region II Playoffs this year. And now, two key members of the team have been named to the All-Region team. Junior pitcher Melissa Lerno and sophomore second baseman Erica Coelho nabbed well-deserved spots on the team, which was filled with players from traditional powerhouse programs like #1 Cal Baptist and #2 Point Loma. In fact, CSUSM is the only school with two representatives on the squad other than the aforementioned Lancers and Sea Lions. Last year, outfielder Elizabeth Bush was CSUSM's lone All-Region team member. In her second season as a Cougar, Lerno routinely dominated hitters and posted excellent stat lines. While a 13-strikeout game against Dominican was special, her trademark performance unquestionably came at home on April 19th against Cal Baptist. Facing the best lineup in the nation (hitting over .350 as a team at the time!), Lerno dazzled for nine shutout innings of two-hit ball, eventually picking up the win when Shanti Poston chopped a bases-loaded single through the infield in the bottom of the ninth. On the season, Lerno went 11-6 with a razor-thin 1.05 ERA in 106.1 innings of work. She finished 11 of her 15 starts, throwing 4 shutouts, striking out 101 while walking just 35. While Lerno anchored the team's pitching staff, Erica Coelho anchored the lineup. She started all 44 games at second base for CSUSM, hitting a super-solid .307 while scoring a team-leading 25 runs and knocking a team-leading 39 hits. She also tied for the team lead in doubles (6), home runs (2), and RBI (18). However, perhaps the most impressive stat is that with all her plate appearances (142 in total), Coelho struck out just three times on the season. She had particularly impressive performances against the University of St. Thomas (3-for-4, 2 HR), Avila University (3-for-4, 3 RBI), and Hope International (3-for-4, 2 RBI). Cal State San Marcos Athletics congratulates Melissa and Erica, as well as the entire softball team, on their achievements! |