Western New England College
Softball News

Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic
(Cape Coral, Fla.)
WNEC vs. St. Lawrence, 9:00 a.m.
WNEC vs. New York University (club), 11:00 a.m.

Monday, March 14, 2005
Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic
(Fort Myers, Fla.)
Wheaton 6, WNEC 5 (8 inn.)
WNEC 12, Mount Ida 0 (5 inn.)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — For two years Western New England College junior Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ) was the backup to superstar Marcie Bruder who graduated last year as the top pitcher in school history.

This spring Shedlock enjoyed her own record-breaking season by compiling a 20-6 record and 0.94 earned-run-average in being selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Pitcher-of-the-Year.

With Shedlock helping to lead the way, WNEC posted a 33-11 record and captured its third consecutive GNAC Tournament title while appearing in the NCAA Division III Championship for the third straight season.

Shedlock was the catalyst establishing a school single season record with 210 strikeouts, breaking Bruder's old mark of 195. Shedlock also had a perfect 12-0 record and 0.11 ERA against GNAC rivals. Opponents hit only .163 against the crafty right-hander who had nine shutouts, including a five-inning no-hitter against Rivier College along with six one-hitters.

Shedlock, who didn't pitch an inning (she played first base) during her four years at Jefferson Township High School, has a 37-7 career record and 1.01 ERA with 337 strikeouts in 257.1 innings.

For her efforts, Shedlock also was named to the NCAA Division III Northeast Region All-Star First Team and New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association (NESICA) Division III All-Star Second Team. She was the MVP of the GNAC Tournament, an All-GNAC First Team honoree, and the WNEC Most Valuable Player.

Sophomore first baseman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT) led the Golden Bears in hitting (.387), hits (48), doubles (17), triples (6), homers (5), total bases (92), and slugging percentage (.742). She made only three errors in 196 chances (.985). Whitcomb was selected to the NCAA Division III Northeast Region All-Star First Team and NESICA Division III All-Star Second Team. In addition, she made the All-GNAC First Team and was voted the WNEC Best Offensive Player.

Junior catcher/tri-captain Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH) was the only player to start all 44 games, finishing second in hitting (.385). She earned a spot on the NCAA Division III Northeast Region All-Star Second Team and received an honorable mention on the NESICA Division III All-Star squad. Boss also was an All-GNAC First Team selection and the recipient of the WNEC Golden Bear Leadership Award.

Senior third baseman/tri-captain Becky McHugh (Ballston Spa, NY) capped her career in fine fashion by finishing third in hitting (.363). She made the NCAA Division III Northeast Region All-Star Third Team.

Sophomore Kristy Kehoss (Cheshire, CT) hit .357 in her first season as the starting shortstop and led the Golden Bears with 42 runs and 17 walks. Sophomore leftfielder Jen Piorkowski (Trumbull, CT) had a solid season with a .342 batting average in gaining a spot on the NCAA Division III Northeast Region All-Star Third Team.

Junior pitcher Holly Coutinho (New Bedford, MA) was a key contributor to the team's success posting an 11-5 record and 1.86 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 86.2 innings. Coutinho had won only five games the previous two seasons.

Also hitting over .300 were freshman designated player Stephanie Gildart (Portland, ME) (.322) and junior second baseman Sarah Moisao (Harwinton, CT) (.306). Junior centerfielder Tricia Troiano (Stewart Manor, NY) hit .295 and made several nice defensive plays during the season.

Kehoss (history) and Whitcomb (sport management) were selected to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) District 1 College Division Softball Academic Team.

Lori Mayhew (Westfield, MA) was selected the GNAC Coach-of-the-Year after guiding the Golden Bears to their third straight 30-win season, third consecutive GNAC Tournament title, and third appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship. Mayhew, a member of the WNEC Downes Athletic Hall of Fame, has a 179-95-1 record (65.3%) in eight seasons.

Western New England College averaged 6.64 runs a game and had a .323 team batting average. The pitching staff had a 1.16 earned-run-average with 22 complete games along with 298 strikeouts and only 61 walks in 260.1 innings. WNEC also had a respectable .958 fielding percentage.

Saturday, May 8, 2004
NCAA Division III Northeast Regional Tournament (Ithaca, N.Y.)
Ithaca 12, WNEC 0

ITHACA, N.Y. — Third-seeded Ithaca College exploded for 12 runs in the fourth inning to eliminate top-seeded Western New England College from the NCAA Division III Northeast Regional Tournament with a 12-0 victory called after five innings because of the mercy rule.

WNEC junior pitcher Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ) was sharp early in the game and had a no-hitter heading into the fourth inning. After a leadoff double and walk, first baseman Kaitlyn Dulac smacked a three-run and the floodgates opened.

When the dust had settled, the Bombers sent 18 batters to the plate against three pitchers; only four of the runs were earned as the Golden Bears made two errors in the inning.

Western New England College managed only one hit, a leadoff single by junior centerfielder Tricia Troiano (Stewart Manor, NY) to start the game.

Shedlock gave up four hits, eight runs (four earned) striking out two and walking two. She finished her first season as the number one pitcher with an impressive 20-6 record and 0.94 earned-run-average with 210 strikeouts in 149 innings.

Western New England College posted a 33-11 record, the second highest win total in school history, and the program's third straight 30-win campaign.

Friday, May 7, 2004
NCAA Division III Northeast Regional Tournament (Ithaca, N.Y.)
SUNY Oneonta 1, WNEC 0

ITHACA, N.Y — Fourth-seeded SUNY Oneonta scored the only run of the game in the top of the seventh and held on for a 1-0 victory over Western New England College in a second round game of the NCAA Division III Northeast Regional Tournament.

The Golden Bears (33-10), who had a first-round bye, threatened in the bottom of the seventh when sophomore shortstop Kristy Kehoss (Cheshire, CT) reached on an infield single with two outs, putting runners on first and third.

Sophomore first baseman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT) then hit a hard liner to right that Amanda LaPolla caught over her shoulder to preserve the win.

WNEC left 10 runners on base and had another runner thrown out at the plate in the fifth.

SUNY Oneonta (28-15) scored its run on a one-out double by shortstop Sarah Place and RBI single by centerfielder Cathy Caito. Amy Herba tossed a five-hit shutout striking out two and walking three.

Junior Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ) was the hard-luck loser for the Golden Bears allowing five hits with eight strikeouts and one walk.

WNEC also saw its 28-game winning streak come to an end.

HOLLY COUTINHO AND TRICIA TROIANO GAIN GNAC SOFTBALL AWARDS

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College junior pitcher Holly Coutinho (New Bedford, MA) was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Pitcher-of-the-Week on Monday (May 3).

Making her first start in 11 days, Coutinho scattered three hits as the Golden Bears ended the regular season with a 1-0 victory over Amherst. She retired the first eight batters and struck out three with one walk in raising her record to 10-6. This was WNEC's first win ever over Amherst in seven meetings dating back to 1995.

Western New England College junior centerfielder Tricia Troiano (Stewart Manor, NY) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Player-of-the-Week. Troiano had the game-winning RBI single in the fifth inning in a 1-0 win over Amherst College. In the top of the fifth she made a diving catch that led to a double play that ended the inning. This was the Golden Bears' first win ever over the Jeffs in seven meetings dating back to 1995.

With the victory, WNEC improved to 33-9 and tied the school record with its 28th consecutive victory. Coutinho is a criminal justice major.

Western New England College Spring Sports Banquet
Sunday, May 2, 2004
List of Award Recipients

Softball
Most Valuable Player — Junior Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ)
Best Offensive Player — Sophomore Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT)
Golden Bear Leadership Award — Junior Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH)

Tuesday, April 27, 2004
WNEC 1, Amherst 0

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Junior Holly Coutinho (New Bedford, MA) picked a great time to pitch her first shutout of the season.

Making her first start in 11 days, Coutinho scattered three hits as Western New England College ended its regular season with a 1-0 non-conference victory over visiting Amherst College.

This was the first meeting between the schools since 1999 and the first win ever for the Golden Bears over the Jeffs in seven meetings.

Coutinho (10-6), who retired the first eight hitters, struck out three and walked one as the Golden Bears tied the school record with their 28th consecutive victory.

WNEC scored an unearned run in the fifth inning following a walk, error, and one-out RBI single by junior centerfielder Tricia Troiano (Stewart Manor, NY). Troiano also made a nice diving catch that resulted in an inning-ending double play in the fifth.

Amherst freshman Miya Warner (Berkeley, CA) (10-7) also pitched a strong game allowing only five hits with five strikeouts and a walk. The Jeffs are now 13-13.

WNEC now has a 33-9 record that is the second highest win total in the program's 26-year history. (The Golden Bears were 34-9-1 in 2002.)

Sunday, April 25, 2004
GNAC Tournament (Springfield, Mass.)
Pine Manor 3, Emerson 1
WNEC 9, Pine Manor 0 (5 inn.)

Sunday April 25 - Western New England College, Springfield, Mass.

Game 5 - Pine Manor 3. Emerson 1
Game 6 - Western New England College 9, Pine Manor 0 (5 inn.)

GOLDEN BEARS WIN THIRD STRAIGHT GNAC SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT TITLE

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Tournament MVP Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ) tossed a four-hitter as top-seeded Western New England College captured its third straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Tournament title with a 9-0 five-inning victory over fourth-seeded Pine Manor on Sunday (April 25). The Golden Bears will now advance to a NCAA Division III Regional Championship May 7-9.

Shedlock, a junior, walked one and struck out six to set a school single season strikeout mark with 200 (breaking the old mark of 195 set by Marcie Bruder in 2002). Shedlock (20-4, 0.76 ERA) won all four tournament games allowing one unearned run in 20 innings with 27 strikeouts and two walks. During the regular season, she had a 12-0 record and 0.11 ERA against conference opponents.

Senior third baseman Becky McHugh (Ballston Spa, NY) went 3-for-3 against Pine Manor with two runs and a RBI while junior centerfielder Tricia Troiano (Stewart Manor, NY) was 3-for-4 with three RBI. Sophomore leftfielder Jen Piorkowski (Trumbull, CT) went 2-for-3 with a double, run, and two RBI.

WNEC (32-9) scored four unearned runs in the second inning against the Gators and never looked back in raising its winning streak to 27 games, one shy of the school record of 28 set two years ago. Pine Manor (25-13) threatened once loading the bases with two outs in the fourth inning, but couldn't score.

Shedlock made the GNAC All-Tournament Team with junior catcher Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH), sophomore shortstop Kristy Kehoss (Cheshire, CT), and sophomore first baseman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT).

WNEC won all four tournament games via the mercy rule (5 innings) outscoring its opponents by a 35-1 margin. The only run scored was unearned.

Inside the Infield: The Golden Bears have won 30 games the past three seasons (32-7 in 2003, 34-9-1 in 2002)É Shedlock became only the second 20-game winner in the program's 26-year history (Marcie Bruder was 20-5 last year). Shedlock, who never pitched an inning in high school, has a 37-5 career record with a 0.91 ERA in 247 innings with 327 strikeouts and 55 walksÉ Last year WNEC won its first NCAA New England Division III Regional Tournament and made its inaugural appearance at the NCAA Division III Final Eight in Salem, Virginia. The Golden Bears were ranked 10th nationally in the final poll.

Saturday, April 24, 2004
GNAC Tournament (Springfield, Mass.)
WNEC 8, Pine Manor 0 (5 inn.)
Emerson 3, Emmanuel 2
Pine Manor 6, Emmanuel 5 (11 inn.)
WNEC 10, Emerson 1 (5 inn.)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College advanced to championship round of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament with a pair of five-inning wins over Pine Manor (8-0) and Emerson (10-1).

The Golden Bears will play the winner of the Emerson-Pine Manor game at 1:00 p.m. Sunday (April 25) with another game at 3:00 p.m. if necessary.

WNEC, the top seeded, will be attempting to capture its third straight GNAC Tournament title and automatic invitation to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Junior Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ) was the winning pitcher in both games, improving her record to 19-4 with her 18th consecutive win. She allowed no earned runs with five hits, 14 strikeouts and one walk.

Sophomore first baseman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT) was the hitting star going 5-for-7 with a double, triple, and a pair of homers (her fourth and fifth of the season), including a three-run blast in the bottom of the fifth that ended the Emerson game. She also had seven RBI (four vs. Emerson) and three runs.

Sophomore shortstop Kristy Kehoss (Cheshire, CT) contributed two hits in each game.

The Golden Bears (31-9) reached the 30-win mark for the third straight season in extending their winning streak to 26 (second best in school history).

Saturday, April 24 - Western New England College, Springfield, Mass.

Game 1 - Western New England College 8, Pine Manor 0 (5 inn.)
Game 2 - Emerson 3, Emmanuel 2
Game 3 - Pine Manor 6, Emmanuel 5 (11 inn.)
Game 4 - Western New England College 10, Emerson 1 (5 inn.)

Thursday, April 22, 2004
Western New England College 8, Johnson & Wales 0 (5 inn.) Emmanuel 4, Norwich 3
Emerson 5, Simmons 4 (8 inn.)
Pine Manor 2, Suffolk 1

2004 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Tournament

Seeds: 1. Western New England College, 2. Norwich, 3. Emerson, 4. Pine Manor, 5. Suffolk, 6. Simmons, 7. Emmanuel, 8. Johnson & Wales.

Thursday, April 22, 2004
WNEC 8, Johnson & Wales 0
GNAC Tournament (Quarterfinals)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Junior Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ) tossed her sixth one-hitter of the season allowing no walks with seven strikeouts as top-seeded Western New England College defeated eighth-seeded Johnson & Wales University, 8-0, in a quarterfinal round game of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament. The game ended in the fifth inning because of the mercy rule.

The Golden Bears pounded out 12 hits as sophomore shortstop Kristy Kehoss (Cheshire, CT) went 3-for-3 with two runs, two RBI, and a triple while junior Sarah Moisao (Harwinton, CT) was 3-for-3 with two runs, a RBI, and double. Junior catcher Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH) was 2-for-2 with three RBI and a run.

Shedlock gave up a one-out single to sophomore centerfielder Kaycea Grignon (St. Albans, ME) in the first inning, and then retired the next 14 batters. Shedlock has a 17-4 record (0.85 ERA) after winning her 16th straight decision.

Western New England College has a 29-9 record and a 24-game winning streak. Johnson & Wales falls to 13-25.

WNEC will host the double elimination portion of the GNAC Tournament Saturday and Sunday. The Golden Bears will play either fourth-seeded Pine Manor or fifth-seeded Suffolk at 10:00 a.m. Saturday.

Tuesday, April 20, 2004
WNEC 6, Westfield State 0

JUNIOR MICHELLE BOSS SELECTED WNEC FEMALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Junior catcher/tri-captain Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH) was honored Tuesday (April 20) as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Boss, a sport management major, hit .643 (9-for-14) in five contests with seven runs and seven RBI to run her hitting streak to 10 games.

She went 3-for-3 with three runs and two doubles against Southern Vermont, and was 4-for-6 with four runs and four RBI in a doubleheader sweep over St. Joseph (Conn.) as the Golden Bears (27-9) improved their winning streak to 22 games. WNEC also won its second straight regular season Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) title with a 23-1 record.

Friday, April 16, 2004
WNEC 16, St. Joseph (Conn.) 0
WNEC 11, St. Joseph (Conn.) 0

Thursday, April 15, 2004
WNEC 1, Framingham State 0

Wednesday, April 14, 2004
WNEC 14, Southern Vermont 0
WNEC 20, Southern Vermont 2

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE SOFTBALL NOTEBOOK (April 13)

Western New England College (22-9) has a 17-game winning streak after capturing five straight doubleheaders last week over Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponents. The Golden Bears are first in the conference with a 19-1 mark followed by Emerson (13-3) and Pine Manor (10-4). Emerson is the only team to defeat WNEC in conference play.

WNEC had its game at Worcester State Tuesday (April 13) postponed because of rain, so (weather permitting) the Golden Bears will make their next start on Wednesday (April 14) with a doubleheader at conference rival Southern Vermont.

Sophomore first baseman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT) was named the GNAC Softball Player-of-the-Week on Monday (April 12) after hitting .500 (14-for-28) with 18 RBI and 13 runs in the five twin bills. She had five multi-hit games, including a 3-for-3 performance with two doubles, a homer, and six RBI against Norwich. An accounting major, Whitcomb leads the team in hitting (.379), RBI (28), doubles (13), triples (4), and homers (2). She also was named the WNEC Female Athlete-of-the-Week on Tuesday (April 13).

Junior Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ) was selected the GNAC Softball Pitcher-of-the-Week on Monday (April 12) for the second time this season. She compiled a 5-0 record with two saves in 24.1 innings while allowing one unearned run for a 0.00 earned-run-average. She gave up 11 hits with 41 strikeouts and only two walks. A history major, Shedlock has a 12.4 record (10-0 in the conference) with a 1.04 ERA (143 strikeouts and 26 walks) in 100.2 innings.

Senior tri-captain Becky McHugh (Ballston Spa, NY) (.347 batting average)recently collected her 100th career hit in a win over Williams. McHugh is sharing playing time at third base with freshman Jess Nelson (South Hadley, MA) who smacked her first collegiate homer (a grand slam) against Albertus Magnus. Nelson has a .314 batting average in 18 games (8 starts).

Another playing having a fine season is junior catcher Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH) who is second in hitting (.357) and doubles (11).

"After a slow start, we're finally getting good hitting and pitching, and playing better defense," said WNEC coach Lori Mayhew. "We lost five outstanding players from last year's team that went to the College World Series, and we now have several different players assuming leadership roles."

Western New England College has a .305 team batting average and 1.41 ERA.

Tuesday, April 13, 2004
WNEC at Worcester State, 4:00 p.m. (PPD)

Saturday, April 10, 2004
WNEC 17, Daniel Webster 0
WNEC 10, Daniel Webster 0

Friday, April 9, 2004
WNEC 12, Simmons 0
WNEC 6, Simmons 0

Thursday, April 8, 2004
WNEC 9, Norwich 1
WNEC 7, Norwich 4

Wednesday, April 7, 2004
WNEC 7, Suffolk 0
WNEC 5, Suffolk 3

JACKIE SHEDLOCK AND STEPHANIE GILDART GAIN SOFTBALL AWARDS

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Softball pitcher Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ) was honored Tuesday (April 6) as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Shedlock, a junior, compiled a 4-0 record allowing only two earned runs in 26 innings (0.54 earned-run-average) with 45 strikeouts and only three walks. She fired a five-inning no-hitter (the first of her career) with 11 strikeouts against Rivier College and tossed a one-hitter (her third of the season) with 15 strikeouts against Emmanuel College.

A history major, Shedlock leads the Golden Bears with a 7-4 record (1.38 ERA) along with 102 strikeouts and 24 walks in 76.1 innings.

Western New England College freshman designated player Stephanie Gildart (Portland, ME) was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Rookie-of-the-Week on Monday (April 5).

Gildart hit .615 (8-for-13) with six runs and three RBI in six games, including a 4-for-6 performance in a doubleheader sweep over Johnson & Wales University. She also collected two hits against Emmanuel College and Rivier College.

Tuesday, April 6, 2004
WNEC 18, Albertus Magnus 0
WNEC 7, Albertus Magnus 0

Sunday, April 4, 2004
WNEC 6, Johnson & Wales 0
WNEC 9, Johnson & Wales 1

Saturday, April 3, 2004
WNEC 13, Rivier 0
WNEC 12, Rivier 0

Friday, April 2, 2004
WNEC 3, Williams 2

Thursday, April 1, 2004
WNEC at Westfield State, 3:00 p.m. (PPD)

Tuesday, March 30, 2004
WNEC 4, Emmanuel 0
WNEC 10, Emmanuel 1

JACKIE SHEDLOCK HONORED AS THE GNAC PITCHER-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College junior Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ) was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Pitcher-of-the-Week on Monday (Mar. 29). She compiled a 2-1 record with 1.80 earned-run-average in 23 1/3 innings.

Shedlock, a history major, tossed a one-hitter (her second of the season) in a 9Ð0 five-inning win over Emerson. She struck out seven and walked one in a 4-1 win victory over Pine Manor College and gained a save in a 6-5 win over the Gators in the first game of the doubleheader.

(Shedlock fired her third one-hitter in a 4-0 win over Emmanuel College on March 30. She struck out a career high 15 batters and allowed no walks in raising her record to 4-4.)

Sunday, March 28, 2004
WNEC 9, Emerson 0
Emerson 8, WNEC 0

Saturday, March 27, 2004
WNEC 6, Pine Manor 5
WNEC 4, Pine Manor 1

Friday, March 26, 2004
Fitchburg State 5, WNEC 2

Thursday, March 25, 2004
Smith 1, WNEC 0

KRISTY KEHOSS HONORED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE FEMALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Sophomore Kristy Kehoss (Cheshire, CT) was honored Tuesday (Mar. 23) as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Kehoss, in her first year as the starting shortstop, hit .350 (7-for-20) in eight games at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, Florida.

She had three runs and two RBI along with a pair of two-hit performances against Salem State College in the season opener and Wheaton College.

Western New England College posted a 2-6 record during its spring break trip after dropping three contests by a single run.

Thursday, March 18, 2004
Aurora (Ill.) 3, WNEC 0
Edgewood (Wis.) 1, WNEC 0

Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Wheaton (Mass.) 7, WNEC 5
WNEC 2, St. Lawrence (N.Y.) 0

Monday, March 15, 2004
Keene State 2, WNEC 1
Wisconsin-Superior 9, WNEC 0

Sunday, March 14, 2004
WNEC 3, Salem State 2
Montclair State (N.J.) 2, WNEC 1

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE LOOKS TO "THREE-PEAT" AS GNAC TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS IN 2004

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College will look to challenge for its third consecutive Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament title this spring with 14 returning players.

WNEC, ranked 19th nationally in the pre-season coaches poll, opens its 26th season by meeting Salem State College and Montclair State University on Sunday (March 14) at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, Florida. The Golden Bears will play eight games in the Sunshine State during their spring break.

Western New England College enjoyed its second straight 30-win campaign last year, finishing with a 32-7 record while repeating as GNAC Tournament champions. The Golden Bears made school history by capturing their first NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship title while making their inaugural appearance in the NCAA Division III Final Eight Championship.

Coach Lori Mayhew's team was ranked 10th in the final 2003 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III poll, the highest ranking ever by a WNEC team in any sport.

WNEC starts the 2004 season without four All-Star players from last year's regional championship team, two-time GNAC Pitcher-of-the-Year Marcie Bruder (61-20 career record, 1.41 ERA, 535 strikeouts), outfielder Ashley Koch (.357 career average), and twins, catcher/designated player Joyce Blake (.353 career average) and shortstop June Blake (.289 career average).

Heading the list of returnees are a pair of All-New England selections, junior second baseman Sarah Moisao (Harwinton, CT) who hit .389 last year, and sophomore first baseman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT) who hit .379 with nine homers (second best in school history). Whitcomb also was the GNAC Rookie-of-the-Year and an All-GNAC honoree.

The Golden Bears also have three other returning .300 hitters in sophomore outfielder Jen Piorkowski (Trumbull, CT), .329; senior third baseman Becky McHugh (Ballston Spa, NY), .323, and sophomore utility player Kristy Kehoss (Cheshire, CT), .308. Piorkowski, who hit a dramatic two out walk-off three-run homer against Wheaton in the NCAA Regional Tournament, also made the All-GNAC Team as a rookie.

McHugh, senior second baseman Sara Cavolo (Centerport, NY), and junior catcher Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH) will serve as the team captains this spring.

There are seven freshmen on the roster this season led by shortstop Stephanie Gildart (Portland, ME) and Meredith Reilly (Fairport, NY).

"We're excited about the start of the season," said Mayhew. "Although we lost several key players from last year's Final Eight squad, we still hope to challenge for our conference title and return to the national tournament."

A member of the WNEC Downes Athletic Hall of Fame, Mayhew is in her eighth season as head coach at her alma mater. She has a 146-84-1 record for a 63.4 winning percentage.

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE RANKED 19TH IN PRE-SEASON NFCA DIVISION III POLL

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College is ranked 19th in the 2004 pre-season National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III poll.

"This is certainly a nice way to start the season," said WNEC coach Lori Mayhew. "Although we lost several key players from last year's Final Eight squad, we still hope to challenge for our conference title and return to the national tournament."

WNEC compiled a 32-7 record last year that was the second most wins in school history and the program's second straight 30-win campaign. The Golden Bears were 34-9-1 in 2002.

Western New England College also repeated as Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament champions and captured its first NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship to earn an invitation to Salem, Virginia for the championship finals.

At the NCAA Division III Final Eight Championship, WNEC lost to national champion Central College (Iowa), 7-0, and Cortland (N.Y.), 2-0.

The Golden Bears finished 10th in the final coaches poll, the school's highest ranking ever in any sport.

2003 NCAA DIVISION III FINAL EIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

2003 NCAA DIVISION III NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS

2003 GNAC REGULAR SEASON AND TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE RANKED 10TH IN FINAL USA TODAY/NFCA DIVISION III POLL

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 29, 2003) — Western New England College softball team completed its "Silver Anniversary" in fine fashion by being ranked 10th in the final USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III poll that was released Wednesday.

There are 385 NCAA Division III softball teams in the country.

"This is a great way to finish the season," said an elated WNEC coach Lori Mayhew. "I thought we deserved to be a top 10 team based on our showing in the regionals."

Western New England College compiled a 32-7 record this spring that was the second most wins in school history and the program's second straight 30-win campaign. The Golden Bears were 34-9-1 last year.

WNEC also repeated as Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament champions and captured its first NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship to earn an invitation to Salem, Virginia for the championship finals.

At the NCAA Division III Final Eight Championship, Western New England College lost to national champion Central College (Iowa), 7-0, and Cortland (N.Y.), 2-0.

Still, it was a season to remember as the Golden Bears ended the year with the school's highest ranking ever in any sport.

NCAA Division III Softball Championship
Salem, Virginia

Special thanks to the City of Salem, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, and hosts Fred and Dee King for their fine hospitality during the NCAA Division III Softball Championship.

NCAA Women's Softball

Saturday, May 17, 2003
Cortland (N.Y.) 2, WNEC 0

Friday, May 16, 2003
Central (Iowa) 7, WNEC 0

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE MEETS CENTRAL COLLEGE (IOWA) IN 2003 NCAA DIVISION III SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 13, 2003) — The stage is set for the 2003 NCAA Division III Softball Championship.

Western New England College (32-5) will meet Central College, Iowa (35-4-1) in the first game of the double elimination tournament at 11:00 a.m. Friday (May 16) at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Virginia.

WNEC, ranked 21st nationally, advanced to the National Championship round after winning its first NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship with victories over Keene State (1-0), Tufts (5-0), and host Wheaton (3-1, 2-1). The Golden Bears qualified for their second straight national tournament after repeating as Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament champions.

In other games Friday, Salisbury (Md.) plays Cortland State at 1:30 p.m., Muskingum (Ohio) meets Illinois Wesleyan at 4:00 p.m., and Emory (Ga.) plays Wartburg (Iowa) at 6:30 p.m.

"We are obviously very excited and happy to be playing in this tournament," said WNEC coach Lori Mayhew who has directed her squad to back-to-back 30 win seasons for the first time in the program's 25-year history.

"We won a lot of close games this year and came up with big hits and tight defense, especially in our tournaments," noted Mayhew. WNEC was 7-1 in one-run games this season.

Western New England College has a 32-5 record for its second straight 30 win season. Last year the Golden Bears set a school record with their 34-9-1 mark

Central, ranked fifth nationally, won all three of its regional tournament games in Tacoma, Washington. The Dutch upset top-ranked Pacific Lutheran twice (2-1, 2-0) to earn its 12th trip to the national tournament finals. Central also captured the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title.

WNEC will challenge for the national crown with senior pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) leading the way. The hard-throwing right-hander has a 20-3 record (her second straight 20-win season) and 0.76 earned-run-average. She has allowed only 87 hits in 147.2 innings with 179 strikeouts and 27 walks. Bruder, an international studies major, is the two-time GNAC Pitcher-of-the-Year and a 2002 Verizon Academic All-America Third Team selection.

The Golden Bears also have three .400 hitters Ñ senior designated player Joyce Blake (Dalton, MA) (.411); sophomore second baseman Sarah Moisao (Harwinton, CT) (.404), and freshman first baseman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows falls, VT) (.402). Blake had the game winning RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the seventh in a 2-1 win over Wheaton in the regional championship on Sunday. Her twin sister June Blake is the starting shortstop on the team.

If WNEC wins, they will play the Cortland-Salisbury winner at 4:00 p.m. Saturday. The losers of games one and two meet at 11:00 a.m. Saturday.

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE WINS FIRST NCAA DIVISION III NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL TOURNAMENT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 12, 2003) — Western New England College's softball team, ranked 21st nationally, celebrated its "Silver Anniversary" season in fine fashion by capturing its first NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship with four straight victories against a top-notch field this past weekend.

Seeded fourth in the six-team regional field, WNEC defeated fifth-seeded Keene State (1-0), top-seeded Tufts (5-0), and second-seeded Wheaton twice (3-1, 2-1) to gain a spot among the eight finalists.

WNEC now advances to the 2003 National Championship May 16-20 in Salem, Virginia. The Golden Bears open play at 11:00 a.m. Friday against Central College (Iowa) in the double elimination tournament.

Western New England College has a 32-5 record (its second straight 30 win season) entering Friday's action. The Golden Bears repeated as Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament champions earlier this month to qualify for its second national tournament.

Senior pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) had the best week of her career with four consecutive complete game victories (two shutouts) allowing no earned runs and only 17 hits in 28 innings with 30 strikeouts and four walks. The hard-throwing right-hander has a 20-3 record (her second straight 20 win season) and a 0.76 ERA with 179 strikeouts and only 27 walks in 147.2 innings. The two-time GNAC Pitcher-of-the-Year; Bruder has a 61-18 career record with 529 strikeouts in 510 innings.

Several other players came through with clutch performances in the regional tournament.

Freshman left fielder Jen Piorkowski (Trumbull, CT) had one of the biggest hits in school history with a three run walk-off homer with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning in a 3-1 win over Wheaten in a winners bracket game on Saturday.

Senior designated player Joyce Blake (Dalton, MA) had the game winning RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the seventh in a 2-1 win over Wheaton in the regional championship on Sunday.

Freshman first baseman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT) had the game-winning single against Keene State on Friday (May 9).

Bruder, Piorkowski, Blake, Whitcomb, and senior right fielder Ashley Koch (Annville, PA) all made the 2003 NCAA Division III New England Regional All-Tournament Team.

Western New England College had a team meeting on Monday to discuss the upcoming tournament. The Golden Bears will practice Tuesday afternoon before flying out early Wednesday morning.

Sunday, May 11, 2003
NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship (Norton, Mass.)

Wheaton 6, Keene State 2
Western New England 2, Wheaton 1 (Championship game)

Saturday, May 10, 2003
NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship (Norton, Mass.)

Keene State 4, Endicott 0
Tufts 3, Fitchburg State 1
Western New England 3, Wheaton 1
Keene State 3, Tufts 2 (10 inn.)

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