SAMANTHA HORNER AND JOEY AFFLITTO NAMED TO NFCA EAST REGION TEAM

Samantha Horner

Joey Afflitto

Richard Stockton senior shortstop Samantha Horner (Newfield/ Buena) was named to the Louisville Slugger/NFCA East Region First Team and freshman third baseman Joey Afflitto (Brick/ Brick) was selected to the East Region Second Team. The all-region teams were chosen by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Horner and Afflitto each received their first all-region honors, becoming Stockton’s first East Region selections since Jessica Williams in 2006.

Horner leads the 25-13 Ospreys in batting (.461), runs (44), doubles (10) and stolen bases (26) to go along with two triples and 30 RBI. The speedster has been caught stealing just once in 27 attempts heading into this week’s ECAC tournament. Horner ranks 22nd in the nation in stolen bases per game (0.70), 23rd in runs scored per game (1.19) and 40th in batting average.

Horner is a two-time NJAC all-conference honoree who earned an NJAC Honorable Mention nod as a senior this year. A four-year starter who has played 159 games, she is Stockton’s all-time leader in at-bats, hits, runs, triples and stolen bases. Horner also holds Stockton single-season records for at-bats, hits and runs.

Afflitto has burst onto the scene with an outstanding freshman season in which she is batting .411 with nine doubles, a school-record nine triples, three home runs, 31 runs scored and 23 RBI. The rookie also currently leads the Ospreys in slugging percentage (.702) and stands fifth in the nation in triples per game (0.24). Afflitto was named NJAC Honorable Mention last week and chosen as the NJAC Rookie of the Week on March 23.