ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Emily Daciw, a junior on the Nazareth softball team, has been named Empire 8 Conference Pitcher of the Year for the 2022 season. Also one of two Nazareth players selected as a first-team all-star, Daciw was selected through voting conducted among the league's head coaches.

In addition to Daciw, who also was chosen as Nazareth's Sportswoman of the Year representative, senior outfielder Sarah Simmons was selected to the first team for the second year in a row. Sophomore catcher Marissa Berghorn was named to the second team and senior first baseman Justine Brooks was a third-team choice.

Daciw, of Angelica, N.Y., became the second Nazareth player in program history to earn Pitcher of the Year honors. She struck out a league-high 160 batters in just 124 2/3 innings, finishing 10-9 with a 3.26 earned run average, 15 complete games, two shutouts and one save. Daciw struck out at least 10 batters in a game seven times this season, including a career-high 17 at Keuka on April 2. Kelly Kocher was Nazareth's other Pitcher of the Year honoree in 2010.

Simmons, of Victor, N.Y., was among the Empire 8's top hitters in 2022 as she batted .397 with two home runs and 30 runs batted in. She also posted a .451 on-base percentage and a .545 slugging percentage.

Berghorn, of Newark Valley, N.Y., was the Golden Flyers' primary catcher as she started all 37 games and batted. 306 with one homer and 27 runs batted.

Brooks, of Olean. N.Y., also started all 37 games at first base and batted .315 with one homer and 13 runs batted in. She served as the Golden Flyers' lead-off batter and led the team with 34 runs scored 15 bases on balls.

One member of each team was named as that institution's representative on the 2022 Empire 8 softball Sportswoman of the Year team. The Empire 8 emphasizes that "competing with honor and integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. As Nazareth's representative, Daciw has consistently exhibited the critical traits as an outstanding sportswoman. 

2022 Empire 8 Softball All-Conference Selections
Co-Player of the Year: Arianna Papas, Sr., OF, Russell Sage
Co-Player of the Year: Allie Klonowski, Jr., OF, St. John Fisher
Pitcher of the Year: Emily Daciw, Jr., P, Nazareth
Rookie of the Year: Meghan Neto, Fr., OF, Alfred
Coaching Staff of the Year: Houghton, led by Head Coach Chad Muise
 
Empire 8 First Team
Catcher – Mari Spitz, Fr., C, St. John Fisher
First Base – Kaitlyn Paul, Sr., 1B, Utica
Second Base – Emily Joss, Sr., 2B, Utica
Shortstop – Ashley Lugo, Sr., SS, Alfred
Shortstop – Hannah Haskell, Sr., SS, Houghton
Third Base – Grace Thompson, Sr., 3B, Houghton
Outfield – Sarah Simmons, Sr., OF, Nazareth
Outfield – Arianna Papas, Sr., OF, Russell Sage
Outfield – Allie Klonowski, Jr., OF, St. John Fisher
Utility – Taylor Dicranian, Sr., U, Russell Sage
Designated Player – Allison Rogowski, Sr., DP, St. John Fisher
Pitcher – Emily Daciw, Jr., P, Nazareth
Pitcher – Ainsley Evanetski, Fr., P, St. John Fisher
 
Empire 8 Second Team
Catcher – Marissa Berghorn, So., C, Nazareth
Catcher – Abigail Sacks, Fr., C, Utica
First Base – Mya Wells, So., 1B, Alfred
Second Base – Becca Irizarry, So., 2B, St. John Fisher
Third Base – Emily Agate, Gr., 3B, Russell Sage
Outfield – Meghan Neto, Fr., OF, Alfred
Outfield – Amelia Martin, Jr., OF, Elmira
Outfield – Lydia Peterson, Jr., OF, Houghton
Utility – Allison O'Toole, Sr., U, Alfred
Pitcher – Kayla Loomis, Jr., P, Houghton
Pitcher – Cassidy Ormond, Fr., P, St. John Fisher
 
Empire 8 Third Team
First Base – Justine Brooks, Jr., 1B, Nazareth
First Base – Makayla Lindsey, Jr., 1B, Russell Sage
First Base – Elise Swanson, Jr., 1B, Houghton
Second Base – Carlee Miller, So., 2B, Houghton
Shortstop – Katelyn Rice, Jr., SS, Russell Sage
Shortstop – Amalia DeMartino, Fr., SS, St. John Fisher
Third Base – Abby Flakus, Sr., 3B, St. John Fisher
Outfield – Maddie Donlin, Fr., OF, St. John Fisher
Outfield – Emma Smith, Jr., OF, St. John Fisher
Outfield – Julia Phelps, So., OF, Utica
Pitcher – Megan Bennett, So., P, Alfred
Pitcher – Mikaela Perez, So., P, Alfred
 
Empire 8 Sportswoman of the Year
Mara Moore, Sr., C/1B, Alfred
Barbara Guinto, Jr., INF, Elmira
Barbara Richert, Gr., 1B/OF, Houghton
Jordan Cole, Sr., 3B, Keuka
Emily Daciw, Jr., P, Nazareth
Taylor DiCranian, Sr., U, Russell Sage
Maddie Nadrich, So., C, John Fisher
Bailey McElwain, Jr., 1B/OF, Utica