Hagenah, Apicella Honored With Highest ECAC Softball Awards
CAPE COD, Mass. (July 18, 2011) – The Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) handed out its yearend softball awards and has named freshman third baseman Nicole Hagenah (Commack, N.Y.) both the 2011 ECAC Player and Rookie of the Year. Head coach Jamie Apicella was also honored as Coach of the Year.
In all, three Pioneers were named to the 11-person All-Star team, including Hagenah, junior second baseman Kendall Bright (Manlius, N.Y.) and senior pitcher Christina Berardi (Raynham, Mass.).
Hagenah, who was also named NFCA First Team All-American and ECAC Rookie of the Year, batted .452 at the plate with a .777 slugging percentage and knocked in 61 runs on 75 hits, including 14 home runs and 12 doubles. She clubbed her 14th home run of the season in a 4-2 win over Merrimack College in the NCAA East Super Region.
Apicella completed his 13th season and guided the Pioneers to a 41-16 overall record that included winning the NCAA East Regional title for the third time in five seasons. Apicella, along with assistant coaches Matt Whittington, Tracey Lynch and Julie Soviero, was also honored as NFCA East Region Coaching Staff of the Year.