Marlier, Cueno Named MCC All-Conference

5/8/06
SAU's season came to a close Friday with a 12-2 loss to William Penn in the Midwest Classic Conference Tournament. The Queen Bees were much improved this season, finishing the season with a 20-22 record, which is 10 wins more than they had all last season.

A couple reasons for the turnaround was the play of freshman Megan Marlier and the leadership of senior Emily Cueno. Monday, both players were named to the MCC All-Conference team. Marlier was selected as one of two utility selections, while Cueno earned an at large selection.

Marlier played all over the field this season, serving as the team's ace on the pitching staff, as well as playing infield and outfield, while batting at the top of the order for the Queen Bees. The Rock Island Alleman product was one of only two players (Lydia Keck) on the team to start all 42 games. Marlier led SAU in five different offensive categories. She finished the season batting .366 (52-for-142) with three home runs and 23 RBI, while scoring 27 times. Marlier also finished with 10 doubles and a triple, for a slugging percentage of .514. She also was a perfect on the base paths, stealing the only two bases she attempted.

As the ace of the pitching staff, Marlier finished with a team best 13-10 record, and a 4.85 ERA. Marlier pitched 148.1 innings this season, which is 61 more than the next highest amount. Marlier struck out 60 batters.

Cueno was the lone senior on the team this season and her senior leadership showed all season long, as the infielder played anywhere that was asked of her, even playing some catcher. The East Dubuque, Ill. native finished the year with a .317 batting average, while also recording team-highs in home runs (6) and RBI (25). Cueno hit eight doubles this season, while finishing with a .524 slugging percentage. Cueno also scored a team-high 28 runs on the year.