St. John's University Athletics
Krystal Puga Named ECAC Player of the Year
5/24/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
QUEENS, N.Y. - Krystal Puga continues to be one of the most decorated softball players to come through St. John's as the senior was named ECAC Player of the Year, along with earning a spot on the All-ECAC First Team announced Thursday by the organization.
The Los Angeles native becomes the first softball player in program history to garner the award and joins Erin Burner as Red Storm players to represent on the All-ECAC First Team.
Puga, the 2018 BIG EAST Player of the Year, made her mark throughout the St. John's record book during her senior stretch becoming the single-season leader in home runs (19), hits (73) and runs (52). In addition, the senior tied Burner for career home runs with 43. Her 19 long balls on the season ranked Puga ninth on the national level.
Pacing the squad offensively, Puga boasted a .435 batting average and a .839 slugging mark to lead the BIG EAST. The senior topped the league in several other statistical categories including: hits (73), runs (52), homers (19), and RBIs (44).
Puga has now garnered a total seven postseason awards to wrap up her senior campaign. Including ECAC Player of the Year and All-ECAC First Team, Puga was also recognized as BIG EAST Player of the Year, unanimous selection to All-BIG EAST First Team, BIG EAST All-Tournament Team, NFCA Division I All-Great Lakes First Team and St. John's softball MVP.
On top of her individual accomplishments, Puga helped St. John's break the program record for home runs with 62 along with lifting the team to their fifth-straight appearance in the BIG EAST Tournament.
