Becker senior catcher Talan Barron was named NECC Softball Player of the Year in a vote of he conference coaches. Barron led the NECC in home runs with six and RBI (35). With Barron behind the plate for the first time this season, Becker's team ERA dropped from 5.55 in 2012 to 3.29 in 2013. The senior finished the year ranked second in the NECC in slugging percentage, third in on-base percentage and seventh in batting.
Becker first year outfielder Jessica Wheelahan was named NECC Rookie of the Year. Wheelahan won the NECC regular season batting title by over 70 points in just her first season (.576), all while leading the conference in on-base percentage (.592). Wheelahan also led the conference in hits by a wide margin with 58. After going without a hit in game one against Regis on March 28, Wheelahan ended the regular season on a 21 game hitting streak.
Becker freshman pitcher Kelsey Norbert was named NECC Pitcher of the Year. Norberg led the NECC in wins with 12 and strikeouts with 121. With 2.71 ERA, she missed out on tying for the ERA lead by 0.05. Norberg had 26 Ks more than her closest competitor, and she led the NECC in strikeouts per game by players with more than 20 innings pitched. She finished second in complete games and third in innings pitched.
Newbury head coach Brook Capello was named NECC Coach of the Year by her peers. In her third season with the
Nighthawks, Capello led Newbury to a 12-6 conference mark, a five win improvement over last season.
Southern Vermont College was honored with the Team Sportsmanship Award.
Additional players honored are due to ties in the voting.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Talan Barron, Becker (Sr, C - Methuen, Mass.)
PITCHER OF THE YEAR
Kelsey Norberg, Becker (Fr, P - Uxbridge, Mass.)
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Jessica Wheelahan, Becker (Fr, OF - Watertown, Conn.)
COACH OF THE YEAR
Brook Capello, Newbury
TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Southern Vermont College
FIRST TEAM ALL CONFERENCE
Megan Cordon, Becker (So, DP - Watertown, Conn.)
Talan Barron, Becker (Sr, C - Methuen, Mass.)
Rachel Butt, Elms (Sr, 3B - Agawam, Mass.)
Haley Fountain, Regis (Mass.) (Fr, P - Warren, Mass.)
Katie Haney, Newbury (Jr, SS - Winchendon, Mass.)
Sheri Liggiero, Newbury (Fr, CF - Tewksbury, Mass.)
Michaela McGowan, Newbury (Fr, 1B - Nashua, N.H.)
Nicole Mercurio, Lesley (Jr, 2B - Wakefield, Mass.)
Maria Nazzaro, Lesley (Jr, OF - North Reading, Mass.)
Kelsey Norberg, Becker (Fr, P - Uxbridge, Mass.)
Jessica Wheelahan, Becker (Fr, OF - Watertown, Conn.)
SECOND TEAM ALL CONFERENCE
Mollie Bartles, Daniel Webster (Fr, 2B/C - Torrington, Conn.)
Chelsey Crawford, Daniel Webster (Fr, OF - Westfield, Mass.)
Theresa Disantis, Daniel Webster (Sr, DP - Hinsdale, Mass.)
Allison Fountain, Lesley (Jr., C - Cheshire, Conn.)
Kirbie Garvey, Regis (Mass.) (Fr, OF - Littleton, Mass.)
Jamie Miner, Elms (Fr, P - Chicopee, Mass.)
Jaclyn Orangio, Becker (Fr, OF - Maynard, Mass.)
Lindsey Romagnino, Mitchell (So, SS - Totowa, N.J.)
Molly Sarson, Lesley (Sr, 3B - Sanford, Maine)
Leah Spring, Elms (Sr, OF - South Hadley, Mass.)
Tricia Tomaselli, Mitchell (Jr, P - Guilford, Conn.)
Ally Witaszek, Elms (Jr, 1B - Feeding Hills, Mass.)
HONORABLE MENTION
Megan Bolduc, Becker (So, SS - Dover, N.H.)
Alyssa Donovan, Newbury (Fr, C - West Haven, Conn.)
Ariel Hallisey, Mitchell (Jr, 2B - Fall River, Mass.)
Emily Mangiaratti, Lesley (Sr, OF/DP - Amherst, Mass.)