DANBURY, Conn. – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) has announced its 2016 Division III New England Softball All-ECAC Selections and major award winners.
Sophomore Sydney Despres (Sterling, Mass.) of Worcester State University was tabbed as the region's player of the year, while Alexandra Marshall of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology collected the ECAC Pitcher of the Year award. Caroline Rice from Bowdoin College earned rookie of the year honors, while Worcester Polytechnic Institute Head Coach Whitney Goldstein was named coach of the year.
"Sydney has earned every award she has received this year," stated head coach Michelle Cote. "She works very hard at practice and on her free time. She is an example of what hard work and dedication can get you."
Despres was an offensive force for the Lancers in 2016, helping Worcester State capture its second-consecutive Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) regular-season title. The sophomore finished the regular season first in batting average (.527), on base percentage (.569), slugging percentage (.992), doubles (20), home runs (13), RBI (49) and total bases (130) while helping the squad to a 12-2 record in the conference. Prior to receiving the ECAC Player of the Year Award, Despres was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) DIII All-New England Region First Team and also named the MASCAC Softball Player of the Year.
"Even though she has positive results she doesn't stop working to get better," commented Cote. "She is very humble and is a team player the accolades are not why Sydney plays - she plays for her team!"
Also making the All-ECAC First Team with Despres is designated player Taylor Daniels (Norco, Calif.) and second baseman Dakota Smith-Porter (Montague, Mass.). Daniels and Smith-Porter made their marks on their first season with Worcester State as they batted .450 and .421, respectively. Daniels logged 30 runs, 58 hits, 12 doubles, three triples, three home runs and 32 RBI. Smith-Porter posted 26 runs, 45 hits, 13 doubles, three home runs, and 30 RBI. Smith-Porter appeared in the circle 10 times and averaged 7.61 strikeouts per game.
"We had another successful year and everyone's efforts did not go unnoticed," said Cote. "Our seniors made a huge impact on our success this year and they will be greatly missed. While we reflect on our 2016 season, we are looking forward to the next as we have some key returners and a strong recruiting class for the 2017 season."
All-ECAC First Team
C: Kristen Solari – Johnson & Wales University, Sr.
1B: Sydney Despres – Worcester State University, So.
2B: Dakota Smith-Porter – Worcester State University, Jr.
3B: Maddie Atkocaitis – Westfield State University, So.
SS: Gabby Lavinio – Western New England University, Jr.
DH: Taylor Daniels – Worcester State University, Sr.
OF: Caroline Rice – Bowdoin College, Fr.
OF: Nina Murphy-Cook – Worcester Polytechnic Institute, So.
OF: Ama Biney – Worcester Polytechnic Institute, So.
UTIL: Kyra Naftel – Amherst College, Fr.
P: Kelly McCarthy – Bridgewater State University, Jr.
P: Alexandra Marshall – Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sr.
P: Clare Doolin – Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Sr.
All-ECAC Second Team
C: Lindsay Gurska – Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Jr.
1B: Cassie Ruscz – Tufts University, Jr.
2B: Christina Raso – Tufts University, Sr.
3B: Maddie Sullivan – Brandeis University, Sr.
SS: Courtney Erickson – Trinity College, Fr.
DH: Emily Schaper – Johnson & Wales University, Jr.
OF: Erica Li – Williams College, Sr.
OF: Jasmin Joseph – Massachusetts Institute of Technology, So.
OF: Jessica Wheelahan – Becker College, Sr.
UTIL: Julia Sullivan – Westfield State University, Jr.
P: Mackenzie Murphy – Williams College, Fr.
P: Jennifer Corona – Johnson & Wales University, So.
P: Ali Reilly – Babson College, So.
Portions of this Release Courtesy of ECAC Communications