Kean University

In becoming just the second first team All-American choice in the history of Kean softball, Mary Ellen Fata shattered a host of team records during her four years as the Cougars' shortstop.

Fata still holds Kean career records for batting average (.380), runs scored (112) and runs batted in (104). She also established career marks for hits and doubles, now ranking second on the all-time list in both categories.

Named a first team All-American as well as All-Atlantic Region and All-New Jersey Athletic Conference after her senior season in 1990, Fata set single-season records that year for hits (56), runs scored (39) and walks (18) while batting a stellar .448.

A three-year captain, Fata was the Cougars' Most Valuable Player in 1990 and claimed the D'Angola Award, presented annually to Kean's outstanding male and female student-athlete, that same year.

What made Fata's 1990 senior season especially remarkable was that she was coming back after losing her entire junior year to injury. Her dedication to her sport, team and school resulted in one of the most spectacular seasons ever produced by a Kean student-athlete.

Fata earned a Bachelor of Science degree in social work from Kean in 1990 before adding a master of social work from Rutgers University in 1991.