Six Lady Bears Receive All-Independent Softball First Team Honors, Four Land on Second Team
BROOKLYN, N.Y. – After leading the St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) softball team to their seventh 20-plus win season in program history and a berth to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Tournament, 10 Lady Bears were named to the Association of Division III Independents All-Independent Softball Teams.
Sophomore Jamilynn McGowan (Staten Island, N.Y./Michael J. Petrides), freshman Maria Gentile (Brooklyn, N.Y./Fontbonne Hall), sophomore Kristin Ferrigno (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Kearney), sophomore Samantha Rossi (Bayside, N.Y./Mary Louis), senior Cassandra Molinari (Brooklyn, N.Y./St. Edmund Prep) and junior Erica Eddy (Glendale, N.Y./Christ the King) were awarded First Team honors.
Freshman Theresa Armano (Middle Village, N.Y./St. Francis Prep), sophomore Samantha Simon (Brooklyn, N.Y./Bishop Kearney), senior Jackie Perillo (Howard Beach, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) and freshman Stephanie Rancel (Middle Village, N.Y./Christ the King) tabbed Second Team honors.
Pitcher Jamilynn McGowan led the AD3I in victories (11), ranked second in innings (112.0), third in strikeouts (65) and ninth in complete games (9). She also led the Lady Bears and ranked third in the conference with a 4.00 ERA. The one-time HVIAC Pitcher of the Week led St. Joseph's to victory in the HVIAC Tournament championship game, striking out a career-high eight in a seven-inning complete-game. She also pitched the Lady Bears to their first USCAA Tournament opening round victory in program history, surrendering just one run in another complete-game against No. 10 Cincinnati-Clermont. McGowan is now a two-time recipient of the All Independent First-Team honor.
First baseman Maria Gentile compiled a .347 batting average to go along with 15 RBI. Her eight doubles ranked sixth in the AD3I. The freshman scored 17 times and walked 10 times, amassing a .414 on-base percentage and a .453 slugging percentage. Gentile was honored as HVIAC Rookie of the Week on April 7 and was named to the 2015 All-HVIAC Team.
Third baseman Kristin Ferrigno amassed a team-high 41 hits and second team-leading 36 runs, placing her third and second respectively in the AD3I ranks. The sophomore's .347 batting average was sixth highest in the conference and her .446 on-base percentage was fourth best. In addition, Ferrigno appeared in all 43 games for St. Joseph's this season, driving in 19 runs and stealing 11 bases. She was awarded HVIAC Player of the Week on April 28 and was named to the 2015 All-HVIAC Team for her outstanding performance this season. Ferrigno receives the First-Team award for the second time in her career.
Outfielder Samantha Rossi tied for the team-lead with 28 RBI, ranking second in the AD3I. The sophomore's .343 batting average was seventh best in the AD3I. Receiving First Team honors for the second time, Rossi connected for 36 hits, including five doubles and two triples. The outfielder appeared in all 43 games this season, also scoring 26 runs and slugging .429. She was awarded HVIAC Player of the Week on April 21 and was named to the 2015 All-HVIAC Team for her outstanding performance. Rossi helped lead St. Joseph's to the HVIAC Tournament title, batting 3-for-5 with one double and one RBI in the tournament.
Catcher Cassandra Molinari, now a three-time All-Independent First-Team recipient, also tied for the team-lead with 28 RBI this season, ranking second in the AD3I. The senior scored 26 runs and slugged 34 hits, including six doubles. Molinari appeared in all 43 games this season and was named to the 2015 All-HVIAC Team for her standout season.
Second baseman Erica Eddy compiled a .333 batting average to go along with a .425 on-base percentage and .440 slugging. The first-year player produced 19 RBI, fifth most on the team, to go along with 21 runs, 25 hits, six doubles and one triple. Eddy was named HVIAC Rookie of the Week on March 31 and April 21. She helped lead St. Joseph's to victory in the HVIAC Tournament, finishing 3-for-4 with one double and two RBI.
Second-Team pitcher Theresa Armano tied for the team and conference-lead with 11 victories alongside McGowan. The freshman ranked second in the AD3I in complete games (15), third in strikeouts (63) and fourth in innings (110.2). She was named HVIAC Pitcher of the Week three times this season and earned her 11th victory in the HVIAC Tournament semifinal over Sarah Lawrence.
Receiving Second Team honors for the second time, shortstop Samantha Simon produced 21 RBI this season, second most on St. Joseph's and seventh most in the AD3I. The shortstop led the conference with 37 runs scored and compiled a .321 batting average, tenth highest in the conference. Appearing in all 43 games this season, Simon also drew a team-best 21 walks to go along with a .435 on-base percentage, placing her sixth in the AD3I ranks. In addition, she swiped a team-high 14 bases, third most in the conference. The sophomore was named the HVIAC Tournament MVP after leading the Lady Bears to the title, finishing 4-for-6 with one triple and one RBI.
Outfielder Jackie Perillo slugged the Lady Bears only two homers this season, third most in the AD3I, while tying for first on the team and second in the conference with 28 RBI. The outfielder also connected for a team-best nine doubles to go along with a .429 slugging percentage and 21 runs scored. Perillo repeated as HVIAC Player of the Week on April 7 and April 14. The senior has been awarded Second Team honors all four years of her standout career as a Lady Bear.
Rounding out the award recipients, outfielder Stephanie Rancel connected safely in 27 of 70 at bats for a .386 batting average. The freshman also slugged .457, drove in 10 RBI, scored 21 runs and stole eight bases this season.
Last week, the Lady Bears' USCAA championship hopes were cut short, but they concluded their 2015 season on a positive note after earning their first USCAA Tournament berth since 2012 and winning their opening round matchup for the first time in school history. They also secured their seventh consecutive HVIAC Tournament title and seventh 20-plus win season in program history finishing with a 23-20 mark.