The Union College softball team had a super season, with a school-record 30 victories and a third straight NCAA playoff appearance. Two Dutchwomen were honored for their performances in 2005, as they were named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division III All-American teams on March 19 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Junior outfielder Julie Gawronski (Dunkirk, NY/Dunkirk) and junior pitcher Abby Arceneaux (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville). Gawronski was named as one of the three outfielders on the first team, while Arceneaux received third team recognition.
Gawronski and Arceneaux are the first two Union softball all-americans during Head Coach Peter Brown's eight-year coaching tenure.
The Liberty League Player of the Year, Gawronski ranked among the NCAA Division III national leaders in three categories: RBIs (13th), batting (26th), and runs (27th). She led Union in a variety of categories, with her .448 average, 38 runs, 52 hits, 13 doubles, three triples, 42 RBIs and .664 slugging mark. She hit safely in 29 of 36 games, and had an 11 game hitting streak during the season. Gawronski also was second on the team with 11 stolen bases and was a two-time Liberty League Performer of the Week. In addition, Gawronski was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team, and will now be considered for national Academic All-America honors. Gawronski's 52 base hits tied the school's single season base hit record, and were the most since 1995 when Stacey Anderson set the mark with 52 hits.
Arceneaux finished the season with a 14-3 record and 0.87 ERA, and struck out 141 batters in 113 innings. She was named to the Liberty League First Team, and received two Liberty League Pitcher of the Week awards and a league Performer of the Week honor. Arceneaux is the program's all-time leader in career victories with 40 and career strikeouts with 340.
