2010 GNAC Softball All-Conference Honors

By: Natalie West

Director of Communications

First Team All-Conference

Pitcher- Monica White, Rivier, Sr., Augusta, ME

Rivier’s pitcher, Monica White, has been named both Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year for the GNAC 2010 season. The senior captain has dominated the league the past four years, including this year leading the Raiders to a first place finish and with the best record in school history. White finished the regular season with an incredible 23-1 record, with a career best of 245 strikeouts. In 149.1 innings pitched, she has allowed 72 hits, a mere 25 runs and 8 walks, which led her to earn a .61 E.R.A. Currently, White is ranked 1^st in NCAA Division III statistics for her victories (26), 1^st in walks allowed (8), 2^nd for ERA (.65), 4^th in strikeouts (11.4 pg) and 7^th for hits allowed (3.43pg).

Pitcher- Courteney Collier, Simmons, Jr., Bolton, Mass.

Simmons’ junior pitcher Courteney Collier led the Sharks to a fourth place finish this season in the GNAC with an E.R.A of 1.35. Collier played in all but one game this season for the Sharks, playing second base when not on the mound. In her 113.2 innings pitched, she earned 115 strikeouts, averaging over one per inning. Collier only gave up 78 hits, 41 runs, and 24 walks in all 15 contests.

Catcher- Courtney Wallace, Pine Manor, Sr., Steep Falls, ME

Pine Manor’s driving force Courtney Wallace was named to the first-team all-conference, who is a two-time NFCA All-Regional slugger. Wallace started all 33 games for the Gators this season, both behind the plate and as an infielder. The senior has totaled 43 hits, with 23 RBIs, and totaled a batting average of .434.  Her slugging percentage was .737, with 9 doubles, 3 triples, 5 homeruns and only 5 strikeouts for the season. Currently, Wallace is ranked 8^th in NCAA Division III for her slugging percentage (.910).

Infield- Annie Thompson, Simmons, Jr., Pacific Palisades, Calif.

Simmon’s shortstop Annie Thompson was named to this year’s first team all-conference as an infielder. Thompson totaled 115 plate appearances this year and only struck out once, which led her to a 3^rd spot in the Toughest to Strikeout in the NCAA Division III statistics. Thompson hit .516 with runners in scoring position and a remarkable .800 when the bases were loaded. The junior captain totaled 50 hits, with 33 RBIs, and a total batting average of .463. Not only does she get the job done at the plate, but makes several diving plays at short and averaged .970 in the field.

Infield- Liddy van der Linden, St. Joseph’s ME, Sr., Worchester, Mass.

The Monks’ shortstop Liddy van der Linden, led St. Joseph’s to a record breaking season, and also broke the St. Joseph’s single season homerun record as well. The senior captain has started in all 155 games in her four-year career, earning honors as a team captain for the past three. Van Der Linden has totaled 113 plate appearances, with 40 hits, 33 RBIs, and a batting average of .354. She is ranked 2^nd in homeruns in the GNAC and 4^th in total bases.

Infield- Taylor Cournoyer, Rivier, Fr., Mansfield, Mass.

The Raiders’ shortstop Taylor Cournoyer is honored as the 2010 Rookie of the Year and also named to the first-team all-conference. The freshman has led the league all-season with her .550 batting average in 111 at bats and has received the GNAC rookie of the week award for the entire season. She has an astonishing .811 slugging percentage with 61 hits, 42 RBIs, 6 triples and 14 doubles. Also Cournoyer is currently ranked 3^rd in NCAA Division III for her Batting Average (.532),

Infield- Alyssa Dunn, St. Joseph’s ME, Jr., Standish, ME

The Monks’ first baseman, Alyssa Dunn has been named to this year’s first team all-conference as an infielder. The junior ranks third on her team in hitting, slugging, OBP, homeruns, and RBIs. Dunn has totaled 36 hits, In the field, Dunn does whatever is necessary to get the out and always makes the difficult plays happen with a .992 fielding percentage.

Outfield- Bridget Farago, Emerson, Sr., Oneonta, NY

Emerson’s centerfielder, Bridget Farago has been named to this year’s first team all-conference. The senior captain has been noted as the “best outfielder in the history of Emerson softball”, achieving national recognition all four years. Farago has achieved a record of 200 hits in her career. This season Bridget has had 38 hits in 114 at bats, averaging .333. She is a tremendous outfielder tallying 28 put outs and 3 assists with a fielding percentage of .939.

Outfield- Emily Leverone, St. Joseph’s ME, So., Hampton, NH

The Monks’ leftfielder, Emily Leverone led the offensive force for St. Joseph’s 30 win season. The sophomore led the GNAC in RBIs, ranked 2^nd in hits and runs scored, 3^rd in doubles, 4^th in slugging and OBP (.500). In 113 plate appearances, she has earned 51 hits, 52 RBIs with 14 doubles, and 6 homeruns. In Leverone’s second season, she has already managed to break the St. Joseph’s Maine career home run record as well. Currently, Leverone is ranked 7^th in NCAA Division III for RBIs averaging 1.44 per game.

Outfield- Katie Bachinski, Rivier, Fr., Northfield, Mass.

Rivier’s centerfielder, Katie Bachinski has been named to this year’s first team all-conference. The rookie outfielder has led the conference with 11 homeruns; and has totaled 47 hits, 41 RBIs, with 12 doubles, 4 triples and 45 runs scored. She led Rivier’s first place team in runs scored and stolen bases (14), often stealing that extra base to score the winning run. Currently, Bachinski is ranked 8^th in NCAA for Runs per Game (1.32) and 10^th for homeruns (11).

Utility- Clara Conklin, Suffolk, Jr., Haverhill, NH

Suffolk’s utility player, Clara Conklin has been named to this year’s first team all- conference. Conklin has been used in six different positions this season and has led the Suffolk defense at each spot. The junior power hitter leads the conference in walks, 2^nd in homeruns (6) and 4^th in total bases. She leads Suffolk with a .364 batting average, 24 RBIs, 8 doubles and a .626 slugging percentage. In all of the different positions she has held a fielding percentage of .959 with 66 put outs, 4 assists and only 3 errors.

Designated Player- Christina Naramore, Emerson, Jr., Amissville, Va.

Emerson’s designated player, Christina Naramore led the Lions in batting with spectacular .474 average in 95 plate appearances. Naramore has totaled 45 hits with 10 doubles and 18 walks. She has roped in 35 RBIs, tallied 17 runs scored, and earned a .674 slugging percentage. In the field, the junior has made only one error and accounted for 40 outs, totaling a .976 fielding percentage.

Coach of the Year- Jamie Smyth, St. Joseph’s College ME

The St. Joseph’s College ME head coach, Jamie Smyth, has been selected as the 2010 GNAC Softball Coach of the Year. Smyth led the Monks to a 30-10 overall record, and 21-3 GNAC record with a 2^nd place regular season finish. He has gone over .500 in his 13- year career totaling a record of 285-226. This season he led the team to achieve a new school record of a 23-game winning streak.

*  All conference rankings as of April 15.

*  All NCAA rankings as of April 18.