Newberg sweeps weekly awards; Gators continues to earn acclaim in NCAA stats polls
Troy, NY--- The Sage Colleges' softball team continues to draw acclaim this season. The Gators are 8-4 on the campaign under their new head coach Jamie Brown and bring a five-game win streak into the week after a 4-0 home stand last week.
Junior pitcher Kelsey Newberg (New Britain, CT/New Britain) was named the Skyline Conference Pitcher of the Week on Monday and was just named this week's Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Metro Pitcher of the Week.
Newberg earned Pitcher of the Week for the first time this season from both groups after she tossed a no-hit gem on Sunday after fanning 10 in the team's 8-0 win over Southern Vermont College. Her performance came on the heels of an 11-k effort the day before and she helped Sage down Cazenovia, 9-1. She was 2-0 last week with 21 K's and a 0.64 ERA, while limiting the opposition to a 0.30 batting average in 11 IP. She surpassed the 100 career strikeout plateau as well and now has 104, which stands 4th best on the Gator career list. She is now just 44 K's away from breaking the career record established by Kristin Hazelton (147).
With the release of the latest NCAA Division III Softball Statistics, the Gators rank nationally in several categories. As a team, Sage ranks 52 in doubles per game with 1.75, while ranking 73rd in team batting average (0.328), and 83rd in win-loss percentage (.667). The team is also ranked 116th in team slugging percentage (0.413), 117th in scoring (5.42 runs per game), 120th in stolen bases per game with a 1.33 and 120th in ERA (2.62). The team has turned an average of 0.17 double plays per contest and ranks 195th, while also ranking 197th in home runs per game (0.17).
Newberg and junior pitcher Rachel Smith (Valatie, NY/Ichabod Crane) both rank 93rd in victories as they are both 4-2 for the Gators. Newberg ranks 90th in strikeouts with her 36 on the season, while also checking in at the No. 80 spot in shutouts as she has one this season. Smith ranks 8th nationally with her three solo shutout wins as Sage has already shutout five opponents on the 2012 season.
Rookie Karlie Williams (Schenectady, NY/Mohonasen) and senior Meghan Welcome (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes) rank 131sth with their five doubles and a 0.17 per game average. Welcome also ranks 89th having drawn 0.58 walks per game.
Sophomore Hillary Faas (East Greenbush, NY/Columbia) is ranked 101st with her 1.0 runs per game scored having scored a team-best 12 runs in 12 starts.
The Gators will return to action on Thursday, March 22 hosting SUNY-Cobleskill in a game that was changed. The non-conference doubleheader will commence at 3:30 p.m. at Sage's Robison Field.
