CASTINE — Three members of Maine Maritime's softball team were named to the All-North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Team when it was released on Thursday. Leah Jackson (Dedham) and Erica Taylor (Mesquite, Texas) were named to the First Team, while Sabrina Keach (Chesterville) was named to the Second Team. Jackson was also named the NAC Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Jackson gunned down 14 would-be-bag thieves in 2012, earning NAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. A total of 29 runners tested her arm during the season. Jackson also gunned down five runners in league play, allowing eight stolen bases. She hosed four consecutive runners in on-conference tilts with Colby and Bates. Jackson boasted a .973 fielding percentage committing four errors in 149 chances. She posted 10 assists in league play.

Jackson was no slouch at the dish, turning in a .350 average with eight doubles, a triple and three home runs. The junior drove in 20 runs and scored 27 times working primarily out of the third spot.

Taylor earned First Team honors as a Pitcher/Utility player. The Mariners' cleanup batter hit .425 in 2012 with a school record 10 home runs to complement eight doubles and a team-best 28 RBIs. Taylor owned a slugging percentage of .900 and an on base percentage of .489.

Keach was named to the Second Team at first base, where she owned a .967 fielding percentage through 183 chances. Keach sported a team-high .434 average with five doubles, two triples and two home runs to her credit. The Mariners' five-hitter scored 27 times and drove in 21 runs.

Maine Maritime finished the season with a record of 14-15 (7-9 NAC). The Mariners played in the quarterfinal round of the NAC Championships, falling to Thomas College.

2012 NAC Softball All-Conference Teams

All-Conference First Team
OF - Tori Fearon - Castleton - So
C - Leah Jackson - Maine Maritime - Jr
1B - Shannon Jipner - Castleton - Sr
3B - LiAnn Linck - New England Col. - So
P - Taylor Lively - Castleton - Jr
1B - Shannon Mitchell - Farmington - Sr
SS - Aimee Mortensen - Husson - Jr
OF - Lona Sargent - Husson - Jr
UTL/P - Erica Taylor - Maine Maritime - So

All-Conference Second Team
DP/P - Kaitlyn Bartlett - Farmington - Jr
OF - Kristin Belessis - Green Mountain - Jr
OF - Caylee Fleury - Castleton - Jr
SS - Amy Jones - Farmington - So
1B - Sabrina Keach - Maine Maritime - Jr
C - Jessica Kiehl - New England Col. - So
P - Becca McCarty - Husson - So
1B - Nicole Sargent - Husson - Sr
P - Emily Sweeney - Castleton

Player of the Year
P - Taylor Lively - Castleton

Defensive Player of the Year
C - Leah Jackson - Maine Maritime

Rookie of the Year
3B - Victoria Overlock - Husson

Coach of the Year
Chris Chapdelaine - Castleton

Team Sportsmanship Award
Lyndon

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