Burnsville, MN – University of Mary senior Melissa Gonzalez earned All-Northern Sun honors for the second straight year and was chosen to the Gold Glove team as the league's top defensive shortstop. She was joined on the squad by converted outfielder Jessica Alvarado, named to the All-NSIC squad for the first time as a catcher.

Both Gonzalez and Alvarado were named to the All-NSIC second team for a Marauders squad that finished the conference season fifth in the standings.

The NSIC leader in triples and near the top in doubles, Gonzalez demonstrated impressive combination of power and defensive skills. The Chino, CA, native hit .336 for the year with 14 doubles, six triples, four home runs, 26 runs batted in and 27 runs scored. She slugged a team-high .633 with a .379 on-base percentage and was perfect in five steal attempts.

Defensively Gonzalez fielded the ball at a .955 clip, committing just seven errors in 154 attempts over 43 games.

The Marauders starting centerfielder to begin the season, Alvarado moved to catcher early in conference play. A three year starter from Rialto, CA, Alvarado led the team with a .353 batting average and 28 runs scored while primarily hitting second in the lineup, just in front of Gonzalez. The junior hit two doubles, drove in nine runs and posted a .405 on base percentage. Alvarado tied for the team lead in steal, swiping 10 bases in 11 attempts.

The Marauders finished the regular season 26-17 overall and 15-11 in conference play to claim fifth place and a spot in the NSIC tournament. The Marauders also have earned a slot in the NCAA Central Region poll.

U-Mary opens play at the NSIC tournament against 4^th-seeded Minnesota Duluth on Thursday, April 26, in Rochester, MN.

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