Bagierek, Fumicello, and Johansson Named to NFCA Softball All-Region Teams
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., May 16, 2006 – Softball players Sarah Bagierek, Denise Fumicello, and Amanda Johansson of Springfield College continued to reap more post-season honors today.
Bagierek, a senior from Douglas, Michigan, was named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) First-Team All-Region as a designated player. Sarah was also chosen New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association (NEISCA) honorable mention. Bagierek batted .336, which was 13th-best in the NEWMAC. Her 26 RBI’s were fourth-best, and her nine doubles tied for ninth-best in the league. She also led the team in at-bats with 149.
Fumicello, a sophomore from Brockton, Mass., was named NFCA Second-Team All-Region as a second baseman. Denise was also named NEISCA honorable mention. A conference Player of the Year candidate, Fumicello finished high in several league statistical listings. A leadoff hitter, she led the NEWMAC in runs scored (43), stolen bases (27), and triples (five). She was also tied for second in the league in doubles with 12, and fifth in batting average (.385). She led her team in all those categories, plus hits (57), walks (18), total bases (85), and slugging percentage (.574). At the school’s recent end-of-year Sports Recognition Night, Denise was named the Sophomore Female Team Athlete of the Year.
Johansson, a senior from Leominster, Mass., was named NFCA Second-Team All-Region as a catcher. Amanda was also named NEISCA honorable mention. Johansson batted third in the Pride line-up and was considered a feared hitter. Johansson was seventh in the league in batting average (.371), tied for second in home runs (four), seventh in doubles (10), and led the league in RBI’s with 37. Her slugging percentage of .529 was second on the team, as were her 52 hits and 15 walks.
All three of the above players started all of the 45 games SC played this year.
These award selections culminate a good season for the Springfield College softball team. As the fifth-seeded team in the NEWMAC tournament, SC made it all the way to the NEWMAC post-season tourney championship game on Sunday (Apr. 30) before falling to top-seeded Babson, 2-0.
Falling just one win shy of reaching the NCAA Tournament, Springfield elected not to pursue a berth in the ECAC tourney. Thus, SC’s season was completed, having finished 25-20 overall, 9-7 during the NEWMAC regular season (tied for second), and 5-2 in the NEWMAC Tourney.
Highlights of the season included Fumicello’s 10-game hitting streak to start the season, SC’s sweep of Wheaton, and, perhaps especially, Head Coach Kathy Mangano’s 400th career victory in the second game of a doubleheader sweep at MIT on April 22.
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Head Coach Kathy Mangano
Kathy Mangano, who will be entering her 20th season coaching at her alma mater in 2009, is one of the top coaches in New England. The four-time conference Coach of the Year has won more games than any coach in the program’s history (458), and ranks among the national leaders in victories among active Division III coaches.
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