May 22, 2002

Chicago, Ill. - University of Illinois at Chicago senior outfielder Edel Leyden capped a standout collegiate career on Wednesday as she was named a 2002 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division I All-American.

Leyden, who earned a spot on the All-American Third Team, batted .377 in her final campaign while setting new career highs with 15 home runs, 56 RBI and a .683 slugging percentage.

The Irvine, Calif., native's 15 home runs set a new UIC single-season record and she also leaves the Flames as the career leader in hits (333), runs scored (243), walks (133) and doubles (65). Leyden also ranks in the top 11 in NCAA Division I history for career games played (288/4th), at-bats (899/5th), runs (243/8th), hits (333/11th) and doubles (65/7th).

With the award, Leyden becomes the third softball player in school history to earn All-American status, joining former teammates Stefanie Christoferson (2001) and Samantha Iuli (1999, 2000).

The Flames finished the '02 season with a record of 43-22, capturing the Horizon League regular-season and tournament titles before advancing to the NCAA Regional Championships for the fifth straight season.