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Bridgewater, NJ -- After making history by qualifying for the Northeast Conference (NEC) Softball Tournament in its first year of postseason eligibility, Merrimack added yet another feather to its cap this season.

For the first time ever, the NEC Player of the Year award will reside in North Andover, MA, as Merrimack sophomore outfielder and dangerous leadoff batter Ellen Hubbard (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA/Palos Verdes) was named the top player in the conference by the league’s head coaches.

Central Connecticut also shared in the riches, winning three major honors.

Tossing nearly every pitch of a conference slate that saw Central Connecticut more than triple its win total from 2022, veteran hurler Kaylee Whittaker (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) was tabbed the NEC Pitcher of the Year. Following her ascention to superstar status this season, Blue Devil outfielder Meg Gorman (Wrentham, MA/King Phillip Regional) won the NEC Most Improved Player honor. The duo will enter this week’s NEC Softball Championship led by the NEC Coaching Staff of the Year. Head coach Breanne Gleason, along with assistant Pat Holden and volunteer Meg Dugas, shared this honor after leading the Blue Devils to a 14-7 league record and their third NEC Tournament appearance in five years.

Sacred Heart’s roster featured two of the major year-end individual awards to round out the winners. For NEC Rookie of the Year honors, first-year righty Sam Kowalski (San Clemente, CA/San Clemente) hurled her way to the accolade after a dominant debut season inside the circle. The Pioneers also reeled in the program’s second Golden Glove Award winner in junior outfielder Victoria LoPinto (East Hanover, NJ/Hanover Park).

Needing just one season to establish herself as one of the most efficient hitters in the circuit, Hubbard got on base regularly for the Warriors, which resulted in the outfielder crossing home a team-best 34 times. The California native wrapped up the regular season ranked on top of the league with a .411 average, and added nine doubles and three dingers. In addition, Hubbard had a knack for deciphering balls and strikes, as she drew an NEC-best 31 walks to just 10 strikeouts on the season. She also paced the league in on-base percentage (.535) by a wide margin and ranked first in OPS (1.091) as she upgraded her All-Rookie team status to first team plaudits in 2023.

The resurgent Blue Devils rode the strength of Whittaker’s right arm to the tune of their second 20-win season since 2021 and a second-place finish in the league standings. With a 20-9 mark, the senior out of Hamilton, NJ heads into the NEC Tournament sitting on top of the leaderboard in wins. Central Connecticut’s ace was an absolute workhorse inside the circle, especially in conference play where she tossed all but 4.1 frames and accounted for all but one of Central Connecticut’s 14 victories. Going the distance a conference-best 19 times against NEC rivals, no other hurler logged more time in the circle during the 21-game league slate, as her 138.0 innings pitched were nearly 29 more than the next closest competitor. Whittaker, who was tabbed the NEC Pitcher of the Week on March 21 after she capped off a 5-0 week with a 13-inning triumph over Wagner, finished third in the loop with 72 strikeouts. Also an All-NEC first team member, she became the second Blue Devil pitcher to be honored with this award in program history, joining program great Laura Messina (2014).    

Kowalski found tremendous success in the circle and quickly established herself as Sacred Heart’s number one hurler. The San Clemente, CA native ranked first among NEC rookies and sat among the top-10 in a plethora of categories, including wins (t-8th, 9), starts (9th, 19), complete games (t-7th, 13), innings pitched (7th, 133.1), strikeouts (5th, 117) and shutouts (9th, 2). The highlight of Kowalski’s rookie campaign arguably came during a three-game series sweep against first-place and eventual NEC regular season champion Saint Francis U. Anchoring a pitching staff that held a potent Red Flash offense to 10 runs over a three-game stretch, she went the distance in each of her starts and gave up just three runs on her watch to lead the Pios. Seeing 61 at-bats, the two-way player contributed offensively as well after knocking in 11 runs and scoring three more. Also named the NEC Co-Rookie of the Week on April 25, Kowalski earned status as the first-ever Pioneer to take home the NEC Rookie of the Year award. 

LoPinto made 46 starts in Sacred Heart’s outfield and committed just two miscues in that stretch for a .977 fielding percentage. Leading the Pios on the base paths with five stolen bags, the speedster’s quickness in the field resulted in 79 putouts and six assists on the year. LoPinto became Sacred Heart’s second golden glover, joining infielder Fallon Bevino (2019).

A menace on the basepaths, Gormon elevated her play this past season to pick up the Most Improved Player honor. The veteran raised her average from .224 in 2022 to .262 this year, a figure that ranks among the NEC’s top-20. Launching three home runs against NEC rivals, Gormon hit her stride during the 21-game league slate with a .284 batting average and 13 runs. In addition to providing a spark at the plate for the Blue Devils, the Wrentham, MA native was perfect in each of her league-leading 17 stolen base attempts. Gormon was also named to the All-NEC first team as an outfielder.  

Gleason orchestrated a big turnaround this season that saw Central Connecticut make its return to the NEC Tournament after a ninth-place finish in the league standings in 2022. Racing out to a 5-1 start in NEC play, the Blue Devils claimed series victories against six conference rivals to wrap up the league slate with 14 wins, the third-most in program history. As the No. 3 seed, Gleason and the Blue Devils head into the postseason looking to secure the program’s third NEC Tournament title, and their first since 2015. With Central Connecticut previously winning this award in 2012, 2013 and 2019, the Blue Devils’ skipper has now been a part of three-of-four NEC Coaching Staffs of the Year, as she served as an assistant in 2013 before assuming head coach duties in 2014.

AWARD WINNER HIGHLIGHTS

Leading the way with five first team All-NEC honorees and six in total was Saint Francis U, which captured the NEC regular season title for the third consecutive season and the fifth time since 2017. Central Connecticut and Sacred Heart each landed three on the first team, with the Blue Devils tacking on one second team selection for four total all-stars. LIU matched the Red Flash with six players who earned All-NEC distinction behind one first teamer and five second teamers.

The All-Rookie team featured an 11 members, eight of which will be taking the field this weekend for the NEC Tournament. Saint Francis U and Central Connecticut made their presence felt on the squad with three recipients apiece, while LIU and Sacred Heart each landed two honorees. 

The first team is flooded with a trio of three-peat honorees, two of which hail from Saint Francis U.

Senior pitcher Grace Vesco (Uniontown, OH/North Canton Hoover) alongside classmate and fellow ace Rachel Marsden (Erie, PA/McDowell) occupied two of the three first team All-NEC pitching spots. Combining for six NEC Pitcher of the Week awards, the duo packed a one-two punch at the top of a Red Flash rotation that posted a conference-best 1.91 ERA and held league foes to a .180 batting average. 

Adding a pair of NEC Player of the Week laurels to her resume, Marsden’s versatility also landed her a spot on the first team as a designated player. The Keystone State product is second in the conference with seven homers and 11 doubles, while her 27 RBI are good for fifth in the loop. The lone rookie to land a spot on the conference’s top team, second baseman Madelyn Wilson (Friendswood, TX/Friendswood) rounded out Saint Francis U’s first team picks.
 
Sacred Heart senior Alyssa Gonzalez (Beaumont, CA/Beaumont) produced another powerful season at the plate to slug her way to her third straight first team nod. The California native leads the league in numerous offensive categories, including home runs (13), RBI (34) and slugging percentage (.636). 

Leading the Red Flash with 26 RBI, including a league-best 18 during NEC play, sophomore first baseman Oliva Ulam (Monroe, WA), who played nearly flawless ball at first base with just four miscues and a .989 fielding percentage, reclaimed first team status for the second straight year, while senior shortstop Jordan Pietrzykoski (North Wales, PA/North Penn), who was red-hot in NEC play with a .507/.560/.701 slash line, made her All-NEC debut with a nod to the league’s top team. Overall, Pietrzykoski ranked in the NEC top-five in hits (56, 1st), triples (3, 1st), average (.376, 3rd) and on-base percentage (.429).

Sacred Heart graduate student Amy Petrovich (East Hanover, NJ/Hanover) and LIU graduate student Camryn Lyman (Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills), a pair of outfielders, each collected all-conference disctinction for the fourth time in their careers after earning spots on the first and second team, respectively. Moving up from the second team in 2019, 2021 and 2022 to first team status this year, Petrovich is Sacred Heart’s second-leading hitter (.336), while Lyman is hitting .300 to lead the second-seeded Sharks. 

Junior utility player Emily Carroll (Ballston Lake, NY/Shenendehowa), who was fifth in the NEC with a .354 average and tied for eighth with 23 RBI, rounded out the Pioneers’ first team selections, while senior backstop Sam Garcia (West Covina, CA/St. Lucy’s Priory) represented LIU on the first team. 

Central Connecticut teammates Whittaker and junior Paige Stringer (Monroe, WA/Monroe) earned spots on the first team after being named to the 2021 All-Rookie team. Stringer knocked in 22 runs to rank second for the Blue Devils while her .380 batting average is second among all NEC hitters. She also hit six dingers and slugged .602 to rank third in the conference.

Each of FDU’s three second team selections are repeat all-conference honorees. Sophomore utility player Andreya Flores (Orange, CA/Villa Park) and classmate Jess DeWitt (San Diego, CA/Patrick Henry), a designated player, are coming off first team designation a year ago. After a sensational graduate campaign that saw her post a league-leading 1.85 ERA, Alayna Savaglio (Middletown, NY/Minisink Valley (Flagler)), who tossed 26-straight scoreless innings to end the season, put a bow on her memorable career by earning her third second team accolade.

In addition to Stringer, three more freshmen were chosen as NEC all-stars. LIU second baseman Mari Narvaiz (Albuquerque, NM/Manzano), CCSU outfielder Ashley Desaulniers (Southington, CT/Southington) and Saint Francis U outfielder Savannah Nash (Mechanicsville, VA/Atlee) were tabbed to the second team. 

About The Northeast Conference
Now in its 42nd season, the Northeast Conference is an NCAA Division I collegiate athletic association consisting of nine institutions of higher learning located throughout six states. Media coverage of the NEC extends to a number of the largest markets in the United States including New York (#1), Boston (#9), Hartford/New Haven (#33) and Providence (#53). Founded in 1981 as the basketball-only ECAC Metro Conference, the NEC has grown to sponsor 24 championship sports for men and women and now enjoys automatic access to 15 different NCAA Championships. NEC member institutions include Central Connecticut, Fairleigh Dickinson, LIU, Merrimack, Sacred Heart, St. Francis Brooklyn, Saint Francis U, Stonehill and Wagner. For more information on the NEC, visit the league’s official website official website (www.northeastconference.org) and digital network (www.necfrontrow.com), or follow the league on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, all @NECsports. 

2023 Northeast Conference Softball Award Winners

Player of the Year
Ellen Hubbard                 Merrimack               OF    So.  L/R   Rancho Palos Verdes, CA/Palos Verdes

Pitcher of the Year
Kaylee Whittaker              Central Connecticut     P     Sr.  R/R   Hamilton, NJ/Steinert 

Golden Glove Award
Victoria LoPinto              Sacred Heart            OF    Jr.  L/R   East Hanover, NJ/Hanover Park 

Rookie of the Year
Sam Kowalski                  Sacred Heart            P     Fr.  R/R  Sam Clemente, CA/San Clemente

Most Improved Player 
Meg Gorman                    Central Connecticut     OF    Sr.  R/R   Wrentham, MA/King Phillip Regional 

Coaching Staff of the Year
Breanna Gleason               Central Connecticut
Pat Holden & Meg Dugas

2023 Northeast Conference Softball First Team All-Conference
 
Name                         School                   Pos   Yr   B/T   Hometown/High School (Previous School)
Rachel Marsden               Saint Francis U          P     Sr.  R/R   Erie, PA/McDowell
Grace Vesco                  Saint Francis U          P     Sr.  R/R   Uniontown, OH/North Canton Hoover
Kaylee Whittaker             Central Connecticut      P     Sr.  R/R   Hamilton, NJ/Steinert
Sam Garcia                   LIU                      C     Sr.  R/R   West Covina, CA/St. Lucy's Priory
Oliva Ulam                   Saint Francis U          1B    So.  R/R   Canonsburg, PA/Canon McMillan
Madelyn Wilson               Saint Francis U          2B    Fr.  L/R   Friendswood, TX/Friendswood
Paige Stringer               Central Connecticut      3B    Jr.  L/R   Monroe, WA/Monroe
Jordan Pietrzykoski          Saint Francis U          SS    Sr.  R/R   North Wales, PA/North Penn
Meg Gorman                   Central Connecticut      OF    Sr.  R/R   Wrentham, MA/King Phillip Regional
Ellen Hubbard                Merrimack                OF    So.  L/R   Rancho Palos Verdes, CA/Palos Verdes
Amy Petrovich                Sacred Heart             OF    Gr.  R/R   East Hanover, NJ/Hanover
Alyssa Gonzalez              Sacred Heart             DP    Sr.  R/R   Beaumont, CA/Beaumont
Rachel Marsden               Saint Francis U          DP    Sr.  R/R   Erie, PA/McDowell 
Emily Carroll                Sacred Heart             UT    Jr.  R/R   Ballston Lake, NY/Shenendehowa 

2023 Northeast Conference Softball Second Team All-Conference
 
Name                         School                   Pos   Yr   B/T   Hometown/High School (Previous School)
Lindsey Cowans               LIU                      P     So.  R/R   Camarillo, CA/Adolofo Camarillo (Moorpark)
Alayna Savaglio              FDU                      P     Gr.  L/L   Middletown, NY/Minisink Valley (Flagler)
Mackenzie Vogler             Wagner                   C     Gr.  R/R   Howell, NJ/Howell
Maya Avila                   LIU                      1B    Sr.  R/R   Santa Clarita, CA/Saugus
Mari Narvais                 LIU                      2B    Fr.  R/R   Albuquerque, NM/Manzano
Gabby Padilla                LIU                      3B    Jr.  R/R   Victorville, CA/Victor Valley
Courtney Lanpher             Merrimack                SS    Sr.  F/R   Princeton, MA/Wachusett Regional
Ashlyn Desaulniers           Central Connecticut      OF    Fr.  R/R   Southington, CT/Southington
Camryn Lyman                 LIU                      OF    R-Sr.L/R   Chino Hills, CA/Chino Hills
Savannah Nash                Saint Francis U          OF    Fr.  R/R   Mechanicsville, VA/Atlee
Jess DeWitt                  FDU                      DP    So.  R/R   San Diego, CA/Patrick Henry
Andreya Flores               FDU                      UT    So.  R/R   Orange, CA/Villa Park 

2023 Northeast Conference Softball All-Rookie Team
 
Name                         School                   Pos   Yr   B/T   Hometown/High School (Previous School)
Alexia Castro                LIU                      SS    Fr.  R/R    Bakersfield, CA/Highland
Ava Cino                     Central Connecticut      SS    So.  R/R   Bayville, NJ/Central Regional (Liberty)
Ashlyn Desaulniers           Central Connecticut      OF    Fr.  R/R   Southington, CA/Southington
Sam Kowalski                 Sacred Heart             P     Fr.  R/R    San Clemente, CA/San Clemente
Grace Lawton                 Central Connecticut      1B    Fr.  R/R   Merrimack, NH/Merrimack
Nicole Henke                 Sacred Heart             SS    Fr.  R/R   Carlstadt, NJ/Becton Regional
Alex Hooper                  FDU                      IF    Fr.  R/R    Auburn, CA/Colfax
Mari Narvaiz                 LIU                      2B    Fr.  R/R   Albuquerque, NM/Manzano
Savannah Nash                Saint Francis U          OF    Fr.  R/R   Mechanicsville, VA/Atlee
Brianna Sawyers              Saint Francis U          3B    Fr.  R/R   Heath, OH/Licking Valley
Madelyn Wilson               Saint Francis U          2B    Fr.   R/R   Friendswood, TX/Friendswood