WNEC Baseball

NORTON, Mass. — Freshman left fielder Jen Piorkowski (Trumbull, CT) slugged a three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift fourth-seeded (and No. 25) Western New England College to a 3-1 victory over second-seeded (and No. 7) Wheaton College in a winner's bracket game of the 2003 NCAA Division III New England Regional Softball Championship.

Piorkowski was 2-4 with her second homer of the season. Senior designated player Joyce Blake (Dalton, MA) went 3-for-4.

Senior Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) continued her stellar pitching allowing only five hits and an unearned run with six strikeouts and two walks.

Bruder (19-3) hasn't allowed an earned run in three tournament games. She has allowed only 13 hits in 21 innings with 25 strikeouts and three walks.

WNEC (31-5) left 11 runners on base before Piokowski ended the game with one of the biggest hits in school history.

The Golden Bears, 3-0 in the double elimination tournament, are now one win away from advancing to the College World Series in Salem, Virginia for the first time in school history.

Friday, May 9, 2003
NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship (Norton, Mass.)

No. 4 Western New England College 1, No. 5 Keene State 0
No. 3 Endicott 2, No. 6 Fitchburg State 1
Western New England College 5, No. 1 Tufts 0
No. 2 Wheaton 5, Endicott 4

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 5, 2003) — Western New England College will meet Keene State College in an opening round game of the NCAA Division III Championship at 10:00 a.m. Friday (May 9) in Norton, Mass.

The Golden Bears are seeded fourth in the six team regional tournament while the Owls are seeded fifth.

In other games Friday, third-seeded Endicott College meets sixth-seeded Fitchburg State College at noon; second-seeded (and host) Wheaton College will face the winner of the WNEC-Keene State contest at approximately 2:00 p.m., and top-seeded Tufts University plays the winner of the Endicott-Fitchburg State game at approximately 4:00 p.m.

The double elimination tournament continues Saturday and Sunday, and possibly Monday.

Western New England College has a 28-5 record this spring during its "Silver Anniversary" season, which is the second highest win total in the program's history. The Golden Bears also captured their second straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament crown.

Last year WNEC won one of three contests in its inaugural appearance in the national tournament.

Western New England College has two top pitchers in senior Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) and sophomore Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ). Bruder has a 16-3 record and 0.94 earned-run-average with 149 strikeouts and only 23 walks in 119.2 innings. She has a 57-18 career record with 499 strikeouts. Shedlock enjoyed a solid season with a 9-1 record and 0.72 ERA in 48.2 innings.

The Golden Bears have three players hitting over .400 Ñ second baseman Sarah Moisao (Harwinton, CT), .434; freshman first baseman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT), .425, and senior designated player Joyce Blake (Dalton, MA), .410.

Among the other players to watch are freshman outfielder Jen Piorkowski (Trumbull, CT), .354; senior shortstop June Blake (Dalton, MA), .349; junior third baseman Becky McHugh (Ballston Spa, NY), .333; sophomore catcher Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH), .323, and senior outfielder Ashley Koch (Annville, PA), .315.

Western New England College Spring Sports Banquet
Sunday, May 4, 2003
List of Award Recipients

Softball
Highest Batting Average - Sophomore Sarah Moisao (Harwinton, CT)
Rookie-of-the-Year - Freshman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT)
Golden Bear Coaches Award - Senior June Blake (Dalton, MA)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 30, 2003) — Western New England College was ranked 25th in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III poll released Wednesday.

This is the first time in school history that the Golden Bears have appeared in the national rankings.

Other regional teams in the poll were Wheaton (7th) and Western Connecticut (16th). Tufts and Springfield also received votes. Pacific Lutheran (Wash.) is the top-ranked team in the nation with a 30-1 record.

WNEC (28-5) is the two-time Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament champions. The Golden Bears will participate in their second consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament next week.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 29, 2003) — Softball tri-captain June Blake (Dalton, MA) was honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Blake, a senior shortstop, hit .391 in eight games (9-for-23) with seven runs and a pair of doubles. She went 4-for-7 in a doubleheader sweep over Albertus Magnus College and batted .300 in four Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament games to help the Golden Bears captured their second straight conference title. Blake also handled 18 chances without making an error.

Blake is fifth on the team with a .349 average entering the NCAA Division III Tournament. She is a management major.

Monday, April 28, 2003
(GNAC Tournament)
WNEC 3, Norwich 1 (Championship)
Norwich 2, Pine Manor 1

Tournament MVP senior Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) scattered eight hits and struck out six with only one walk as the Golden Bears repeated as Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament champions while earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship.

Bruder improved her record to 16-3 in winning her second straight MVP honor. She won all four tournament games allowing only two earned runs in 21 innings. Bruder now has a 57-18 career record with 499 strikeouts.

Freshman center fielder Kristy Farnan (Enfield, CT) was 1-for-2 with two runs. Sophomore catcher Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH) was 1-for-1 with a RBI and sacrifice. All three WNEC runs were unearned.

Sophomore Julie Sledz (Stratford, CT) was the hard-luck loser for the Lady Cadets. She pitched a great game allowing only four hits with one strikeout. Sophomore Hillary Peirce (Florida, MA) was 2-for-3 with a RBI. Freshman catcher Bonnie Tompkins (Northfield, VT) was 2-for-3 with a double. Junior centerfielder Heather Hutchinson (S. Barre, VT) was 2-for-3 with a walk. In the seventh, Norwich had runners on first and second with no outs and the bases loaded and two outs, but couldn't score.

Norwich (26-7) — 000 100 0 - 1 8 3
Western New England (28-5) — 001 020 x - 3 4 0

N — Julie Sledz and Bonnie Tompkins. W — Marcie Bruder (16-3) and Michelle Boss.

All-Tournament Team — Marcie Bruder (Western New England), Sarah Moisao (Western New England), Becky McHugh (Western New England), Erin Whitcomb (Western New England), Heather Hutchinson (Norwich), Sonia Massey (Norwich), Alycia Pushard (Norwich), Colleen Clarke (Pine Manor), Liz Sliney (Pine Manor).

Sunday, April 27, 2003
(GNAC Tournament)
WNEC 3, Pine Manor 2 (8 inn.)
Norwich 3, Suffolk 1
Pine Manor 5, Suffolk 1 (Suffolk eliminated)
WNEC 3, Norwich 2

Friday, April 25, 2003
(GNAC Tournament)
WNEC 11, Johnson & Wales 0 (5 inn.)

Tuesday, April 22, 2003
WNEC 4, Albertus Magnus 3
WNEC 9, Albertus Magnus 1 (5 inn.)

FRESHMAN ERIN WHITCOMB SELECTED WNEC FEMALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK AND GNAC ROOKIE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 22, 2003) — Freshman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT) was honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Whitcomb, a first baseman/designated player, hit .455 (10-for-22) in eight softball games with four homers, 12 runs and 15 RBI. She just missed hitting for the cycle with a double, triple, homer (her team best eighth of the season), and five RBI at St. Joseph, Connecticut.

A business major, Whitcomb also was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Rookie-of-the-Week for the second time this spring.

In other news, Western New England College senior pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Co-Player-of-the-Week for the second time this season.

She posted a 4-0 record with a 0.00 ERA after allowing only three hits in 23 innings with 38 strikeouts and three walks.

Bruder, an international studies major, had three shutouts, including a five-inning perfect game against Southern Vermont College that was the third no-hitter of her career. She also had a two-hit shutout at Norwich for her 50th career victory and a one-hitter at Suffolk University.

Friday, April 18, 2003
WNEC 20, St. Joseph, Conn. 1
WNEC 24, St. Joseph, Conn. 2

Wednesday, April 16, 2003
WNEC 12, Southern Vermont 0
WNEC 8, Southern Vermont 0

Monday, April 14, 2003
WNEC 10, Daniel Webster 6
WNEC 20, Daniel Webster 1

Thursday, April 10, 2003
WNEC 4, Johnson & Wales 0
WNEC 11, Johnson & Wales 7

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 7, 2003) — Western New England College freshman first baseman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT) was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Rookie-of-the-Week Award on Monday.

Whitcomb went 3-for-6 (.500) in two games to raise her hitting streak to six games. She was 2-for-3 with two runs, a double, and a RBI in a win over Emmanuel College. Whitcomb also slugged her team high third homer of the season in a loss against Norwich University.

A business major, Whitcomb is second on the team with a .444 average (12-for-27) in nine games.

MARCIE BRUDER NAMED WNEC FEMALE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK AND GNAC PLAYER-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Apr. 1, 2003) — Senior pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) was honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Bruder tossed a one-hitter with seven strikeouts and no walks in a 2-0 win at Fitchburg State College. In her next start, she fired the second no-hitter of her career against Simmons College (an 8-0 win) with two strikeouts, including the 400th of her career, and only one walk.

An international studies major, Bruder leads the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) with a 4-2 record and 1.52 earned-run-average in 41 1/3 innings. She was named the GNAC Softball Player-of-the-Week on Monday (March 31).

Saturday, March 29, 2003
WNEC 8, Simmons 0 (6 inn.)
WNEC 10, Simmon 3

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mar. 25, 2003) — Senior tri-captain Joyce Blake (Dalton, MA) was honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Blake, a senior catcher/designated player, hit .545 in seven games (12-for-22) at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena, Florida with seven runs, six RBI, three doubles, and a homer. She went 6-for-7 in a doubleheader sweep over Cumberland University (Tenn.).

A sport management major, Blake hit safely in every game as the Golden Bears won four of seven contests during their visit to the Sunshine State.

Thursday, March 13, 2003
Methodist (N.C.) 4, WNEC 1
Methodist (N.C.) 9, WNEC 1

Wednesday, March 12, 2003
WNEC 8, Cumberland (Tenn.) 4
WNEC 5, Cumberland (Tenn.) 3

Monday, March 10, 2003
WNEC 3, Mary Washington (Va.) 0
WNEC 4, Wentworth Institute of Technology 0

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (March 10, 2003) — Fresh off the best season in the program's history, Western New England College is ready to defend its Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament title and earn a repeat visit to the NCAA Division III Championship during its "Silver Anniversary" season.

Western New England College set a school record for wins last year after compiling a 34-9-1 mark that included a school best 28-game winning streak. The Golden Bears also captured their first GNAC Tournament title and made their inaugural appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament. When WNEC defeated Roger Williams 2-1 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, it was the first win ever by a Golden Bears team in any NCAA competition.

WNEC also recorded its 400th all-time victory over Pine Manor College on April 26.

This spring, coach Lori Mayhew has four All-GNAC selections returning to lead the way. They are pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH), catcher Joyce Blake (Dalton, MA), third baseman/designated player Lindsay Gauthier (Ludlow, MA), and outfielder Ashley Koch (Annville, PA). All four players are seniors.

Bruder, a right-hander, compiled a 22-5 record in becoming the first 20 game winner in school history. She had a 1.05 earned-run-average with a school record 195 strikeouts and only 26 walks in 173 innings. Bruder was the GNAC Pitcher-of-the-Year and the WNEC Coca-Cola Female Athlete-of-the-Year. She also was named to the prestigious Verizon Academic All-America Third Team.

Blake led the team in RBI (26) and was third in hitting (.375). Gauthier hit .350 in 37 contests. Koch led the squad in hitting (.411), hits (53), runs (37), and stolen bases (23).

Bruder and Koch also were selected to the New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association (NEISCA) All-Star Team.

Also back are senior shortstop June Blake (Dalton, MA), junior third baseman/designated player Becky McHugh (Ballston Spa, NY), sophomore catcher Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH), sophomore second baseman Sarah Moisao (Harwinton, CT), sophomore first baseman/pitcher Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ), and sophomore outfielder Tricia Troiano (Stewart Manor, NY).

Three freshmen to watch are pitcher Megan Cloutier (Greenfield, MA), catcher/first baseman Kristy Kehoss (Cheshire, CT) and first baseman/third baseman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT).

"Once again, the big factors for a successful season are consistency in strong pitching, good defense, and timely hitting," said Mayhew who was named the 2002 GNAC Coach-of-the-Year. "Our players have worked extremely hard and our goal is to make a repeat trip to the national tournament.

"This team will look for a strong senior class to lead the way on and off the field. The combination of accomplished and experienced upperclassmen with talented and eager freshmen will lead the way for another victorious season," Mayhew noted.

Western New England College will open its season with seven games at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida during spring break.

Weather permitting; WNEC will make its home debut against Westfield State College on Saturday, March 22.

WNEC was picked to finish first in the GNAC Softball Coaches pre-season poll. The Golden Bears also were selected fourth in the NEISCA Division III pre-season poll after Western Connecticut, Wheaton, and Bridgewater State.

Western New England College ranks among the most successful teams in the region with a 77-31-1 record (71.1%) the last three years. WNEC has an all-time record of 404-273-1 (59.7%).

KATE FARRY AND MARCIE BRUDER NAMED TO VERIZON ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA SOFTBALL TEAM

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (June 6, 2002) — Western New England College softball stars Kate Farry (Pittsfield, MA) and Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) added another major honor to their collection when they were selected to the 2002 Verizon Academic All-America College Division Softball Team that was announced Thursday.

Farry earned a spot on the national academic second squad while Bruder was a third team selection. The two players are the first softball players in school history to gain this prestigious award.

Western New England College was the only school in the region to have two players on the Verizon squad.

Farry, a senior outfielder and team co-captain, compiled a 3.74 cumulative grade-point-average in psychology. She hit .362 in 37 games and finished her career with a .314 average in 132 contests. Farry received her bachelor of arts degree last month.

Bruder, who is hearing impaired, posted a 3.57 cumulative grade-point-average in international studies. The junior pitcher had a 22-5 record in becoming the first 20-game winner in the program's 24-year history. She had a 1.05 earned-run-average with 195 strikeouts and only 26 walks in 173 innings. Bruder was named to several All-Star teams and was the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Pitcher-of-the-Year.

"We are extremely happy and proud of Kate and Marcie for their contributions to the softball program," said WNEC coach Lori Mayhew. "They rank among the best student-athletes in the nation and are excellent representatives of the College."

Western New England College enjoyed a record-breaking season in 2002 with a 34-9-1 mark that included a school best 28-game winning streak. The Golden Bears also captured their first GNAC Tournament title and made their inaugural appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament.

When WNEC defeated Roger Williams 2-1 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, it was the first win ever by a Golden Bears team in any NCAA competition. Bruder was the winning pitcher while Farry had two hits and a run.

Western New England College student-athletes on the Verizon Academic All-America Team.
1981 Ñ Roma St. George (Chicopee, Mass.), basketball
1982 Ñ Roma St. George (Chicopee, Mass.), basketball
1989 Ñ Gary Bourque (Torrington, Conn.), basketball
2001 Ñ Laura Sturgis (Westborough, Mass.), lacrosse
2002 Ñ Kate Farry (Pittsfield, Mass.), softball
2002 Ñ Marcie Bruder (Keene, N.H.), softball

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 22, 2002) — Western New England College junior pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH — Keene High School) was honored Wednesday (May 22) as the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Pitcher-of-the-Year.

Bruder, who is hearing impaired, posted a 22-5 record and 1.05 earned-run-average with 195 strikeouts and only 26 walks in 173 innings. She became the first 20-game winner in the program's 24-year history. Bruder was the Most Valuable Player of the GNAC Tournament after leading the Golden Bears to their first conference title. Her win over Roger Williams College in the NCAA Division III Tournament was the first school victory ever in any sport in NCAA competition.

Bruder has a 41-15 career record and 1.55 ERA with 350 strikeouts in 362.1 innings. Earlier this month, she was selected the WNEC Coca-Cola Female Athlete-of-the-Year.

Bruder also was named to the All-GNAC First Team with senior second baseman Jeni Pernaa (Ashby, MA — North Middlesex Regional High School) and junior outfielder Ashley Koch (Annville, PA — Annville-Cleona High School). Junior catcher Joyce Blake (Dalton, MA — Wahconah Regional High School) and junior third baseman Lindsay Gauthier (Ludlow, MA — Ludlow High School) made the All-GNAC Second Team.

Koch led the Golden Bears in hitting (.411), hits (53), runs (37), stolen bases (23), and was tied with Blake for the team lead in doubles (9). She also is a member of the school's basketball and tennis teams. Pernaa was second in hitting (.410), hits (48), runs-batted-in (22), and stolen bases (12). She ended her career with a .401 batting average. Blake hit .375 and led the team in runs-batted-in (26) and walks (17). Gauthier enjoyed a solid year with a .350 batting average.

Western New England College's Lori Mayhew was selected the GNAC Softball Coach-of-the-Year after directing the Golden Bears to a 34-9-1 record and their first appearance in the NCAA Division IIII Championship. The school-record 34 wins included a 28-game winning streak during the season. Mayhew is a native of Westfield and a member of the WNEC Downes Athletic Hall of Fame.

In other news, Koch was named to the New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association (NEISCA) Division III All-Star First Team while Bruder and Pernaa were Second Team selections.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 16, 2002) — Junior softball pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH — Keene High School) was honored as the Western New England College Coca-Cola Female Athlete-of-the-Year at the school's Spring Sports Banquet May 4.

Bruder, a right-hander, compiled a 22-5 record with a 1.05 earned-run-average in becoming the school's first 20-game winner. She had a school record 195 strikeouts with only 26 walks in 173 innings. Bruder, who is hearing impaired, was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Pitcher-of-the-Year and selected to the All-Conference Team. She had a 10-1 mark and 0.78 ERA against conference opponents. Bruder also gained a spot on the NCAA New England Division III Regional All-Tournament Team and was a New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association (NEISCA) Division III All-Star Second Team selection.

An international studies major, Bruder was selected to the Verizon Academic District 1 College Division Softball Team on May 9. She has a career 41-15 record with 350 strikeouts (both school records). With Bruder leading the way, WNEC posted a 34-9-1 record this spring that was a school record for wins in a season. The Golden Bears captured their first GNAC Tournament title and participated in their first NCAA Division III Championship.

NCAA Division III Tournament
Saturday, May 11, 2002
Wheaton 2, WNEC 0

NCAA Division III Tournament
Saturday, May 11, 2002
WNEC 2, Roger Williams 1
(First win ever for WNEC in any NCAA Championship)

NCAA Division III Tournament
Friday, May 10, 2002
Tufts 1, WNEC 0 (8 inn.)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Apr. 30, 2002) — Senior softball co-captain Kate Farry (Pittsfield, MA — Taconic High School) was honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Farry, the starting centerfielder, batted .467 (7-for-15) in four Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament games as the Golden Bears captured their first conference title.

She went 3-for-5 and had the game-winning hit in a 6-5 victory over defending champion Pine Manor College in the championship game April 27.

Farry, a psychology major, is second on the team in hitting with a .386 average.

Western New England College junior pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH — Keene High School) received her third straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Player-of-the-Week award on April 29. Bruder was selected the MVP of the GNAC Tournament after winning all four games to lead the Golden Bears to their first conference championship and a berth in the school's first NCAA Division III Championship.

Bruder allowed only four earned runs in 22 innings with 24 strikeouts and four walks as WNEC extended its school-record winning streak to 27 games.

Bruder (20-3) also became the first 20-game winner in the program's 24-year history and set another school mark with her 36th career victory.

WNEC wins first GNAC Tournament title with 6-5 win over Pine Manor; Marcie Bruder named MVP

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. (April 27, 2002) — Senior centerfielder Kate Farry (Pittsfield, MA) went 3-for-5 with the game-winning RBI in the seventh inning as Western New England College won its first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament title with a 6-5 victory over top-seeded Pine Manor College.

The victory automatically qualified the Golden Bears (32-7-1) for their first appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship and extended the team's school-record winning streak to 27 games.

Tournament MVP junior pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) won her 17th straight decision (and third in two days) to improve her record to 20-3. She is the first 20-game winner in the program's 24-year history.

junior third baseman Lindsay Gauthier (Ludlow, MA), junior right-fielder Ashley Koch (Annville, PA), and Farry each made the All-Tournament Team.

Trailing 2-0, WNEC exploded for five runs in the fifth with Farry, Gauthier, junior left-fielder Erin Wolf (East Hampton, CT), junior first baseman Heather Capitanio (Pittsfield, MA), and freshman designated player Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH) all having RBI hits. Gauthier and Boss each had three hits.

Pine Manor scored twice in the sixth to cut the margin to 5-4. WNEC scored the important insurance run in the seventh when Koch stole second after a fielder's choice, and scored on Farry's clutch two-out single.

In the bottom of the seventh, Pine Manor had runners on first and second with one out when Tamara Rizzo belted a double to right center to score one run. Farry threw the ball to Capitanio who fired a strike to junior catcher Joyce Blake (Dalton, MA) who tagged out Kim Brizido attempting to score from first. Rizzo took third on the play, but the game ended when Meaghan L'Abbe flied out to Farry

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 23, 2002) — Western New England College junior pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH — Keene High School) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Player-of-the-Week on Monday (April 22).

Bruder posted a 5-0 record and 0.00 earned-run-average in 32.2 innings. Bruder allowed 12 hits and had 55 strikeouts with only two walks. She leads the conference with a 16-3 record and is second with a 0.97 ERA.

Junior Ashley Koch (Annville, PA — Annville-Cleona High School) was honored Tuesday (April 23) as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Koch, an outfielder, batted .556 (15-for-27) in an 8-0 week and extended her hitting streak to 11 games. She also scored 12 runs and had seven stoles bases. Koch is fourth in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) in hitting with a .418 average.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Apr. 16, 2002) — Junior softball pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH — Keene High School) was honored Tuesday (April 16) as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Bruder compiled a 5-0 record and 0.52 earned-run-average in 27 innings with 43 strikeouts and one walk. She allowed only 14 hits and two earned runs. Bruder had 16 strikeouts in a two-hit shutout against Simmons College and 11 strikeouts vs. Daniel Webster. She has a 12-3 record and 1.25 ERA with 103 strikeouts in 95 innings. The 12 wins equal the number of victories she had last year and this is the second straight season Bruder has passed the 100-strikeout mark. Bruder also was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Co-Player-of-the-Week.

Western New England College freshman pitcher Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ — Jefferson Township High School) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Softball Co-Rookie-of-the-Week. She was 3-0 with a 0.00 earned-run-average with 14 hits, 20 strikeouts, and five walks in 20 innings. Shedlock had nine strikeouts in a five inning win against Daniel Webster College. She has a 6-0 record and 1.24 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 45.1 innings. Her average of 8.68 strikeouts a game leads the conference.

WNEC 18, Saint Joseph, Conn. 0 (Apr. 15)
WNEC 9, Saint Joseph, Conn. 0 (Apr. 15)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 9, 2002) — Junior softball twin sisters Joyce and June Blake (Dalton, MA — Wahconah Regional High School) were honored Tuesday (April 9) as the Western New England College Female Athletes-of-the-Week.

WNEC junior outfielder Ashley Koch (Annville, PA — Annville Cleona High School) was named the GNAC Softball Co-Player-of-the-Week Award on April 8. "The Mayor" hit .542 (13-for-24) in eight games with seven runs, seven stolen bases, and three runs-batted-in. She improved her batting average 167 points to .346.

Norwich 5, WNEC 2 (Apr. 2)
Norwich 2, WNEC 2 (Apr. 2)
(Game called after seven innings because of darkness)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mar. 27, 2002) — Western New England College senior second baseman Jeni Pernaa (Ashby, MA — North Middlesex Regional High School) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Softball Player-of-the-Week on March 25. She hit .561 in eight games as the Golden Bears posted a 5-3 record at the Disney Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida during spring break. Pernaa is a sociology/elementary education major.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mar. 20, 2002) — Western New England College posted a 5-3 record during its spring break trip to Florida, winning its last three contests in the process. The Golden Bears played their games at the beautiful Disney Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista.

Senior co-captains Jeni Pernaa (Ashby, MA) and Kate Farry (Pittsfield, MA) led the hitting attack with averages of .524 and .417, respectively. Pernaa had a team high 11 hits and seven stoles bases, and didn't make an error in 31 chances. Farry contributed 10 hits and five RBI.

Freshman Tricia Troiano (Stewart Manor, NY) saw action at all three outfield positions and hit .400 in four contests.

Junior Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) led the pitching staff with a 3-1 record and 1.30 earned-run-average with 17 strikeouts and only six walks in 27 innings. Freshman Holly Countinho (New Bedford, MA) also did well compiling a 2-0 mark and 1.26 ERA with 13 strikeouts and three walks in 16.2 innings.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mar. 19, 2002) — Senior softball co-captain Jeni Pernaa (Ashby, MA — North Middlesex Regional High School)) was honored Tuesday (March 19) as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Pernaa, a second baseman, hit a team-high .524 (11-for-21) with seven walks and three stolen bases in eight games at the Disney Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida during spring break. She also didn't make an error in 31 chances. Weather permitting, WNEC (5-3) will open its Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) season on Friday (March 22) against visiting Saint Joseph College, Connecticut.

Minnesota Morris 4, WNEC 10 (Mar. 14)
Emerson 1, WNEC 4 (Mar. 14)
Southern New Hampshire 0, WNEC 3 (Mar. 13)
Pace 5, WNEC 1 (Mar. 13)
Asbury, Ky. 7, WNEC 11 (Mar. 11)
Lee, Tenn. 2, WNEC 0 (Mar. 11)
Wooster, Ohio 7, WNEC 4 (Mar. 10)
Wooster, Ohio 2, WNEC 3 (Mar. 10)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College opens its 2002 softball with a doubleheader against the College of Wooster (Ohio) starting at 8 a.m. Sunday, March 10, at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

The Golden Bears will play eight games in the Sunshine State during their spring break before meeting Fitchburg State College in the home opener beginning at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 21.

Western New England posted a 22-9 record last year and finished second in the West Division of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC). WNEC advanced to the semifinal round of the GNAC Tournament before dropping a 1-0 decision to eventual champion Pine Manor.

WNEC, however, was rewarded for its second straight 20-win season by earning an invitation to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III North Tournament for the first time since 1992.

The Golden Bears expect to challenge for the GNAC Tournament title in 2002 with several talented veterans (including five All-GNAC players) and a promising group of first-year players.

Junior pitcher Marcie Bruder heads the list after compiling an impressive 12-3 record last spring along with a 1.55 earned-run-average. Bruder struck out 101 hitters and walked only 26 in 99 2/3 innings in making the All-GNAC Second Team.

Coach Lori Mayhew welcomes back seven .300 hitters led by sophomore third baseman Becky McHugh who hit .398 with 35 runs and a team high 23 RBI in gaining GNAC Rookie-of-the-Year and All-GNAC First Team honors.

WNEC has two other All-GNAC First Team performers in senior second baseman Jeni Pernaa and junior outfielder Ashley Koch. Pernna batted .385 with a team best 37 runs and 15 stolen bases while Koch hit .379 with 11 doubles and 14 stolen bases. Junior first baseman Heather Capitanio made the All-GNAC Second Team after hitting .314.

WNEC's other .300 hitters are senior outfielder Erin Wolf (.329), junior catcher Joyce Blake (.316), and junior third baseman/designated player Lindsay Gauthier (.302).

Pernaa and senior outfielder Kate Farry (.259) will serve as the team co-captains for the second straight year.

SOFTBALL COACH LORI MAYHEW INDUCTED INTO DOWNES ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Softball coach Lori Mayhew was among six individuals inducted into the third annual Western New England College Downes Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, September 22, 2001, during Homecoming Weekend.

Mayhew, a native of Westfield, hit a school record .485 her senior season and finished her career with a .403 average, also a WNEC all-time best. A third baseman, she was a two-time Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III and Northeast Women's Athletic Conference (NEWAC) All-Star selection.

Mayhew has served as the head softball coach at Western New England College the last five seasons.

Joining Mayhew in the Hall of Fame were Steven M. Byrne '91, men's ice hockey; Kimberly A. Coia '95, women's basketball; Bruce F. Hambro '74, baseball, and Lori A. Mayhew '95, softball, the late Western New England College bowling coach Richard F. "Dick" Burns, and present Western New England College wrestling coach Robert E. Skelton.

Western New England College's Athletic Hall of Fame is named in honor of former professor and coach William (Bill) Downes who was among the inaugural group inducted in 1999.

SOPHOMORE MARCIE BRUDER AND FRESHMAN BECKY McHUGH HEAD LIST OF SOFTBALL AWARD WINNERS

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Sophomore pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH — Keene High School) was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2001 Western New England College Softball Team at the school's recent Spring Sports Banquet.

Bruder compiled a 12-3 record and 1.55 earned-run-average with 101 strikeouts and only 26 walks in 99 2/3 innings. She also was selected to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) All-Star Second Team.

Freshman third baseman Becky McHugh (Ballston Spa, NY — Burnt Hills High School) was selected both the GNAC and Western New England College Rookie-of-the-Year. She also made the GNAC All-Star Second Team. McHugh led the Golden Bears in hitting (.398) and RBI (23), and made only three errors in 70 chances for a solid .957 fielding percentage. McHugh had 11 multi-hit games and ended the season with a five-game hitting streak.

Junior second baseman/pitcher Jeni Pernaa (Ashby, MA — North Middlesex Regional High School) was named to the GNAC All-Star First Team after hitting .385 that was second on the squad. She led the Golden Bears in hits (37), runs (27), and stolen bases (15). Pernaa, a team co-captain, also posted a 3-1 record and 3.00 earned-run-average with 19 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings.

Sophomore outfielder Ashley Koch (Annville, PA — Annville Cleona High School) earned a spot on the GNAC All-Star First Team. She was third on the squad in hitting with a .379 average and had a team best 11 doubles. Koch also led the Golden Bears with a .563 slugging percentage and was second in stolen bases with 14.

Sophomore first baseman Heather Capitanio (Pittsfield, MA — Pittsfield High School) made the GNAC All-Star Second Team after hitting .314 with three doubles and a homer. She also tied for the team lead in walks with 15.

Western New England College posted a 22-9 record, which included a 14-3 mark for second place in the GNAC West Division. The Golden Bears had a 19-5 record against teams in New England. Western New England advanced to the semifinals of the GNAC Tournament and participated in its first Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III North Tournament.

2001 EASTERN COLLEGE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (ECAC) DIVISION III NORTH TOURNAMENT

Rookie-of-the-Year — Becky McHugh, Freshman, Third Base, Ballston Spa, N.Y.

Thursday, April 26 - Quarterfinals
St. Joseph College 2, Johnson & Wales 1
Western New England 6, Albertus Magnus 5
Pine Manor 10, Emmanuel 0
Emerson 11, Suffolk 7

Saturday, April 28 - Semifinals/Championship Game
(All games played at Pine Manor College, Chestnut Hill, MA)
Pine Manor 1, Western New England 0
Emerson 2, St. Joseph College (Conn.) 1
Pine Manor 8, Emerson 4 (Championship Game)

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Western New England College was eliminated from the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament after dropping a heart-breaking 1-0 decision at host Pine Manor College Saturday (April 28).

The Golden Bears could manage only three hits against Shannon Medeiros who struck out five and walked only one. The Gators scored a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to advance to the tournament final.

WNEC sophomore Sierra Eurkus (Palmer, MA) pitched one of her best games of the season allowing only four hits with six strikeouts and two walks. She compiled a respectable 7-5 record this spring. Junior second baseman Jeni Pernaa (Ashby, MA) had two hits for the Golden Bears who finished the season with a 22-8 record.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to escape with a 6-5 victory over visiting Albertus Magnus College in a quarterfinal game of the 2001 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Tournament Thursday (April 26).

The Golden Bears raised their record to 22-7 with their 10th consecutive victory and 15th in their last 16 games. The Falcons fall to 19-13.

Albertus Magnus scored five unearned runs to take a 5-1 lead in the third before Western New England tallied three times in the bottom of the inning to close within 5-4. It was still a one-run game until junior outfielder Erin Wolf (East Hampton, CT) had a one-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to tie the contest. Two batters later, the Falcons' committed their eighth error (this time on a dropped ball) that cost them the game.

WNEC freshman third baseman Becky McHugh (Ballston Spa, NY) went 3-for-4 with two RBI while sophomore rightfielder Ashley Koch (Annville, PA) was 2-for-4 with a stolen base. Junior second baseman Jeni Pernaa (Ashby, MA) went 1-for-4 with two runs and two stolen bases.

Sophomore righthander Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) improved her record to 12-2 by allowing only five hits and no earned runs with three strikeouts (giving her 96 for the season). Bruder has won her last eight decisions.

Western New England will meet host Pine Manor College (a 10-0 winner over Emmanuel College) in a semifinal game of the GNAC Tournament on Saturday at a time to be announced.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Softball standout Ashley Koch (Annville, PA — Annville Cleona High School) was honored Tuesday (Apr. 24) as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Koch, a sophomore outfielder, hit .429 (12-for-28) with 10 runs and five runs-batted in in a 8-1 week. She went 5-for-7 in a doubleheader sweep over Westfield State College and 4-for-8, including a three-run homer (the first of her career), in a pair of wins over Albertus Magnus College (Connecticut). Koch leads the Golden Bears (19-7) in hitting (.394), stolen bases (13), and doubles (9). She is an English Literature major at Western New England College.

This past winter Koch served as the backup point guard on the women's basketball team that posted a 16-10 record while tying for second in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) with a 10-2 mark.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College freshman third baseman Becky McHugh (Ballston Spa, NY — Burnt Hills High School) was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Rookie-of-the-Week on Monday (April 23). This is the second time she has received the award this spring.

McHugh hit .370 with nine runs-batted-in during an 8-1 for the Golden Bears. She went 3-for-4 with four RBI against Albertus Magnus and had the game-winning hit in a 2-1 over Norwich University.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Softball co-captain Jeni Pernaa (Ashby, MA — North Middlesex Regional High School) was honored Tuesday (Apr. 10) as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Pernaa, a junior, hit .667 (6-for-9) in a 2-1 week and was the winning pitcher in a 9-1 win over Rivier College. She also went 4-for-4 against Rivier with four RBI (including a three-run homer). Pernaa is second on the team in hitting with a .393 average through 10 games. She also plays second base for the Golden Bears. Pernaa is a sociology major.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College freshman third baseman Becky McHugh (Ballston Spa, NY — Burnt Hills High School) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Rookie-of-the-Week on Monday (Mar. 26).

McHugh hit .385 (10-for-26) with three doubles and six RBI in seven games during spring break. McHugh also had a perfect fielding percentage (no errors in 21 chances).

The Golden Bears posted a 3-4 record during their visit to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. McHugh is a psychology major at Western New England.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Softball pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH — Keene High School) was honored Tuesday (Mar. 20) as the Western New England College Female Athlete-of-the-Week.

Bruder, a sophomore, posted a 2-1 record with a 2.49 earned-run-average in 19 2/3 innings in four games.

She tossed a no-hitter with five strikeouts in a 9-1 win over Swarthmore College (Pa.) in the season opener March 12 at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Bruder, an international studies major, also picked up a win in relief against Division II College of St. Rose (N.Y.).

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Even though there are no seniors on the team, Western New England College hopes to challenge for the 2001 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament crown with a strong core of returning players.

Western New England opens its season against Swarthmore College (Pa.) and the College of Wooster (Ohio) on Monday, Matrch 12, at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida. The Golden Bears will play seven games in the Sunshine State during spring break before returning north for a home doubleheader (weather permitting) against Westfield State College on Saturday, March 24.

Last year WNEC posted a 21-13 record for its first 20-win season in nine years. The Golden Bears also made an impressive showing in their first season in the GNAC, placing second in the conference tournament. WNEC lost a heartbreaker to St. Joseph College (Connecticut), 3-2, in the championship game and just missed advancing to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

"We hope to battle for the GNAC title in only our second year in the league," says Western New England coach Lori Mayhew. "Last year we were only one run shy of winning the conference title and qualifying for our first trip to the nationals."

Junior second baseman/pitcher Jeni Pernaa (Ashby, MA) heads the list of returning position players. A team co-captain, Pernaa led the team with a .388 batting average along with an impressive .981 fielding percentage, and posted a 5-0 and 1.75 earned-run-average in six appearances (28 innings) on the mound. She also was named the team's Most Valuable Player.

Western New England returns its top two pitchers, sophomore Sierra Eurkus (Bondsville, MA), who was 9-6 with a 2.45 earned-run-average in 97 innings, and sophomore Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) who compiled a 7-7 mark and 2.50 ERA in 89 2/3 innings.

Western New England also has two sets of twin sisters who could make significant contributions this season.

Sophomore shortstop/second baseman June Blake (Dalton, MA) hit a solid .351 in her rookie season while sophomore catcher Joyce Blake (Dalton, MA) batted .307 while throwing out 13 of 21 base stealers. Junior outfielders Nicole Petro (Waterbury, CT) and Michele Petro (Waterbury, CT), meanwhile, both played well in reserve roles last year.

The Golden Bears have another top player in junior shortstop Kate Farry (Pittsfield, MA) who hit .301 last spring. She will serve as a team co-captain this year.

Among the other players to watch are junior outfielder Erin Wolf (East Hampton, CT), sophomore first baseman Heather Capitanio (Pittsfield, MA), sophomore third baseman/first baseman Lindsay Gauthier (Ludlow, MA), sophomore outfielder Ashley Koch (Annville, PA), sophomore second baseman/outfielder Christina Thompson (Winsted, CT), and and freshman third baseman/pitcher Becky McHugh (Ballston Spa, NY).

The other team members are sophomore outfielder Sarah Leggio (Palenville, NY), and four freshmen, third baseman/outfielder Abbie Ausfeld (Schenectady, NY), second baseman Sara Cavolo (Centerport, NY), and outfielders Jessica Newman (Stannard, VT) and Victoria Tartavoulle (Levittown, NY).

The women's softball team finished the 2000 season with a 21-13 overall record, the first 20-win season in nine years for the Golden Bears. WNEC got to the championship game of the GNAC Tournament, losing a heartbreaker to St. Joseph's College of Connecticut, 3-2.

Sophomore JENI PERNAA (Ashby, MA) was named the team's Most Valuable Player this season, leading the team in hitting with a .388 batting average. She was also perfect on the mound with a 5-0 record and a 1.75 earned run average.

Freshman JOYCE BLAKE (Dalton, MA) was named the team's Rookie of the Year, finishing with a .307 average and a team-high 26 RBI. But her most important contribution was defensively. The catcher allowed just 8 stolen bases all season. Her twin sister, JUNE BLAKE, also had a great season hitting .351.

Freshman SIERRA EURKUS (Palmer, MA) was the most consistent pitcher for the Golden Bears this season, compiling an 9-6 record and a 2.45 ERA. Another freshman, MARCIE BRUDER (Keene, NH), also had a good season on the mound with a 7-7 mark and 2.50 ERA.

Seniors JACKIE HICKS (Shelburne Falls, MA) and MARISSA STAWASZ (W. Springfield, MA) finished up long and distinguished careers for WNEC this season. Stawasz hit .342 while Hicks batted .333. The 129 career hit by Hicks is the third highest total of all-time for WNEC and her 124 games played is the most ever by a Golden Bear.