Thompson Named ECAC New England Player of the Year

CENTERVILLE, Mass.—The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) on Wednesday announced its Division III Softball New England All-Star Team. The Great Northeast Athletic Conference was well-represented including Annie Thompson of Simmons College receiving the honor of the ECAC Player of the Year.

Thompson, a senior shortstop, paced the Great Northeast Athletic Conference in most offensive categories, including batting average (.524), on-base percentage (.563), hits (75) and runs scored (50), securing player of the year accolades in her primary conference. She led Simmons with 18 doubles and five triples and was second with 39 runs batted in. She was an integral part of a record-breaking Sharks squad that went 25-17 overall and 19-5 in GNAC play – two of the best records in program history. The team also advanced to the quarterfinal round of the ECAC Tournament.

Additionally, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference had Lindsay Moore (St. Joseph's College Maine) selected as the First Team Second baseman, Emily Leverone (St. Joseph's College Maine) as a First Team Outfielder and Lynn Herman (Emerson) as the Second Team Designated Hitter.

The head coaches, or his/her designee, within the ECAC membership voted on the teams and individual awards.

2011 ECAC Division III New England Softball All-Stars

Player of the Year
Annie Thompson, Sr., Simmons, SS (Great Northeast Athletic Conference)

Pitcher of the Year
Hayley Feindel, Jr., Coast Guard (New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference)

Rookie of the Year
Jo Clair, C, Tufts (New England Small College Athletic Conference)

Coach of the Year
Donna Koczajowski, Coast Guard (New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference)

First Team

First Base: Lena Cantone, Jr., Tufts (New England Small College Athletic Conference)

Second Base: Lindsay Moore, Fr., Saint Joseph's [Maine] (Great Northeast Athletic Conf.)

Shortstop: Annie Thompson, Sr. , Simmons (Great Northeast Athletic Conference)

Third Base: Jennifer Shaw, So., Bridgewater State (Massachusetts State Coll. Athletic Conf.)

Catcher:  Jo Clair, Fr., Tufts (New England Small College Athletic Conference)

Designated Player: Breann Joyce , So., Springfield  (NEWMAC)

Outfield: Emily Leverone, Jr. , Saint Joseph's [Maine] (Great Northeast Athletic Conference)

Outfield: Rachel Wyrwa, Sr., Western New England (Commonwealth Coast Conference)

Outfield: Taylor Orlando, Sr., Salem State (Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conf.)

Utility: Emily Mangiaratti, So., Lesley (New England Collegiate Conference)

Pitcher: Hayley Feindel, Jr., Coast Guard (New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conf.)

Pitcher: Molly Rathbun, Jr., Eastern Connecticut State (Little East Conference)  

Second Team

First Base: Jennie Lacolla, Fr., Endicott (Commonwealth Coast Conference)

Second Base: Jackie Enos, So., Babson (New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conf.)

Shortstop: Catie Funk, So., Babson (New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference)

Third Base: Holli Bastinck, So., Coast Guard (New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conf.)

Catcher: Amanda Frederick, Sr., Coast Guard (NEWMAC)

Designated Player: Lynn Herman, Sr, Emerson (Great Northeast Athletic Conference)

Outfield: Priscilla Alicea, Jr., Eastern Connecticut State (Little East Conference)

Outfield: Ashley Wright, Sr., Endicott (Commonwealth Coast Conference)

Outfield: Laura Chandler, Jr., Keene State (Little East Conference)

Utility: Sarah Deroche, Sr., Southern Maine (Little East Conference)

Pitcher: Amanda Berard, Sr., Rhode Island College  (Little East Conference)

Pitcher:  Geena Constantin, Sr., Middlebury (New England Small College Athletic Conference)

*Courtesy ECAC Communications