Championship Schedule Semifinal Series (Best-of-Three) Friday, May 7 No. 4 Mercy at No. 1 Bridgeport - 2:30 p.m. No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas at No. 2 Molloy - 3:00 p.m. Saturday, May 8 No. 4 Mercy at No. 1 Bridgeport - 12:00 p.m. No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas at No. 2 Molloy - 1:00 p.m. No. 4 Mercy at No. 1 Bridgeport - 2:00 p.m. (if necessary) No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas at No. 2 Molloy - 3:00 p.m. (if necessary) Final Series (Best-of-Three) Friday, May 14/Saturday, May 15 at highest remaining seed
East Coast Conference Staff Robert Dranoff Commissioner rdranoff@eccsports.org 631.372.0332
Melissa Reilly Associate Commissioner mreilly@eccsports.org 631.372.1886
Casey Rafferty Assistant Commissioner crafferty@eccsports.org 631.372.0886
The 2021 East Coast Conference Softball Championship Program was written, laid out and designed by Casey Rafferty, Asisstant Commissioner for Strategic Communications, in Adobe InDesign CS5. Cover art work was designed by Casey Rafferty. Special thanks to the editorial assistance provided by: Bob Dranoff, Melissa Reilly and the Sports Information Directors of the East Coast Conference.
2019 Softball Championship Recap May 1
No. 1 LIU Post d. No. 4 NYIT, 3-2 No. 2 Bridgeport d. No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas, 6-5 (11 inn.)
May 4
No. 2 Bridgeport d. No. 1 LIU Post, 4-0 No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas d. No. 4 NYIT, 3-1 No. 1 LIU Post d. No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas, 12-3 at Brookville, N.Y.
May 5 - Final
No. 2 Bridgeport d. No. 1 LIU Post, 3-0 at Brookville, N.Y.
Past Champions 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Southampton Southampton C.W. Post C.W. Post Molloy Dowling Adelphi C.W. Post Queens C.W. Post
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Queens C.W. Post C.W. Post C.W. Post Dowling C.W. Post Dowling C.W. Post C.W. Post Dowling
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Molloy Molloy Molloy LIU Post Queens Molloy Mercy LIU Post Bridgeport N/A *
* ECC Championship was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic
UNIVERSITY OF BRIDGEPORT No. Name 2 Kiana Robinson 3 Samantha Schiebe 6 Grace Derita 7 Meg McFarland 10 Taylor Yates 11 Elyssa Marmolejo 12 Hailey Kim 13 Kaira Ramon 14 Hope Lincoln 17 Kaite Burawski 19 Isabella Porcaro 22 Miranda Hillman 23 Sam Ferreri 33 Sarah Silver 42 Ariana Olvera 44 Hannah Kirk
Yr Fr, So. Fr. So. So. Sr. Fr. Sr. Sr. So. Fr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Fr. So.
Pos B/T IF P C/OF OF C/IF IF IF OF C P IF P OF IF IF OF
Ht 5-5 5-9 5-4 5-7 5-9 5-3 5-4 5-3 5-6 5-8 5-6 5-10 5-4 5-6 5-2 5-4
Hometown/Previous School Hamden, Conn./Hamden Monroe, Conn./Masuk Middletown, Conn./Middletown Monroe, Conn./Masuk Elk Grove, Calif./Elk Grove Rialto, Calif. /Los Osos Virginia Beach, Va./Bayside Stamford, Conn. /Westhill N. Providence, R.I. /St. Mary Academy Hartley, Del./Polytech Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge Placentia, Calif. /Valencia Hauppauge, N.Y. /Hauppauge Vernon, Conn. /Rockville Sylmar, Calif./San Fernando Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills
Head Coach: Dawn Stearns (12th Season) Assistant Coaches: Ray Ramelli Jr, Samantha Rosetti, Caitlin Eichlerr
Quick Facts Location: Bridgeport, Conn. Founded: 1927 Enrollment: 4,800 Nickname: Purple Knights
Colors: Purple and White Interim President: Stephen Healey, PhD Interim Director of Athletics: Kate Smullen
Coach Dawn Stearns
Kaite Burawski
Elyssa Marmolejo
Did You Know?
• UB women’s soccer program claimed the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship with a 1-0 win over Grand Valley St. • UB recently began play in its new baseball field adjacent to campus in beautiful Seaside Park. • The University of Bridgeport women’s gymnastics team has won six of the last 10 USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Team Championships.
About Bridgeport
Kaira Ramon
An international, doctoral intensive comprehensive university, with award-winning academic programs, at the University of Bridgeport, the New England’s fastest growing university, students can earn degrees in a variety of innovative undergraduate and graduate degree programs. UB is among America’s strong international universities with 25 percent of our students coming from overseas. The University’s commitment to educate students from throughout the world is recognized in the US News and World Report issue on colleges. With students from more than 80 countries who are active in student government, publications and clubs, the University of Bridgeport prides itself in being a real world experience in globalization. Through its International Programs, the University provides academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities which support the University’s commitment to promote global citizenship and a commitment to public service. There are 200 full- and part-time faculty, including Fulbright Scholars, National Science Foundation Fellows, Ford Fellows, National Endowment for the Humanities Fellows, American Council for Learned Societies Scholars and Phi Beta Kappa Scholars. Known for its competent, committed, caring faculty, the University prides itself on its student-faculty ratio of 11:1. It also takes pride in its commitment to diversity. Some 32 percent of its students are members of minorities. Committed to creating new learning venues, the University of Bridgeport’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies and its Office of Distance Learning pioneered the first online graduate degree program in the State of Connecticut. A variety of online courses and certificate programs are also available.
MERCY COLLEGE
Coach Mike Fazio
Alexi Benson
No. Name Yr 1 Mia Harris Fr. 5 Catherine Zucker Jr. 6 Alexi Benson So. 8 Samantha Franck So. 9 Alexa Tenety So. 10 Danielle Burgos Sr. 11 Casey Akers Sr. 12 Sydney Johnston So. 13 Nicole Smart So. 15 Ariana Ricci Jr. 17 Sabrina Gonzalez Jr. 18 Jessica Becchetti Sr. 21 Alexandra Karavias Fr. 22 Christy Falisi So. 23 Angelina Oquendo So. 26 Hailey Puglia So. 27 Ylannah Bowman Jr. 30 Hannah Mueller Sr. 37 Katelyn Shephard Jr. 39 Alyssa Guzman Sr. 41 Alexis Crawford Jr.
Pos B/T UT/P R-R P/OF R-R P/2B R-R 1B/3B/OF R-R P R-R SS/3B R-R OF/UT R-R C/1B/OF L-R SS/2B R-R OF/C R-R P R-R P R-R P/UT L-R SS L/R P/IF S/R UT R/R 3B/C R/R 2B/1B L/R P R/R OF R/R C/OF L/R
Ht 5-3 5-7 5-9 5-8 5-6 5-3 5-4 5-3 5-6 5-6 5-2 5-5 5-8 5-4 5-7 5-2 5-4 5-8 6-2 5-3 5-7
Hometown/Previous School West Harrison, N.Y./Harrison North Babylon, N.Y./St. Joseph’s College (LI) Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend La Habra Heights, Calif./La Habra Babylon, N.Y./Babylon Jr/Sr Calexico, Calif./Arizona Western College Keller, Texas/Timber Creek Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial Santa Clarita, Calif./Golden Valley Sacramento, Calif./Cosumnes Oaks Royal Palm Beach, Fla./Wellington Eastchester, N.Y./Ramapo College Westbury, N.Y./WT Clarke Riverhead, N.Y./Riverhead Middle Island, N.Y./Longwood Holtsville, N.Y./Assumption College Temecula, Calif./Chaparral Fair Oaks, Calif./Bella Vista Beaumont, Calif./Beaumont Riverside, Calif./Mt. San Antonio College Hemet, Calif./West Valley High
Head Coach: Mike Fazio (11th Season) Assistant Coaches: Baylee McCormick, Skania Lemus
Alexis Crawford
Quick Facts Location: Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. Founded: 1950 Enrollment: 9,403 Nickname: Mavericks
Colors: Blue and White President: Timothy L. Hall Director of Athletics: Matt Kilcullen, Jr.
Did You Know?
• Mercy is making its first ECC Championship appearance since • The Mavericks won their lone ECC Championship in 2017 • Senior Hannah Mueller was named ECC Preseason Player of the Year.
Hannah Mueller
About Mercy:
Mercy College is a New York metropolitan area college of over 9,000 students studying at five campus locations including: Dobbs Ferry, Bronx, Manhattan, White Plains, Yorktown Heights. With over 90 undergraduate and graduate programs, 25 of which are offered online, Mercy College offers a quality liberal arts education within five schools: Business, Education, Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Students may take classes during the day, evenings, weekends, and online, so that they can fit a rigorous Mercy College education into their busy lives. Mercy College also offers tremendous financial support so that the cost of college is not a barrier to success. The faculty is dedicated to the scholarship of teaching. Mercy College professors include Fulbright Scholars, published authors and national authorities in their fields. Mercy College offers a comprehensive intercollegiate NCAA Division II program that sponsors 16 varsity sports. The main campus located on the scenic banks of the Hudson River in Dobbs Ferry is just minutes from Manhattan. Mercy College students reside in the College’s on campus dormitory and within the suburban community of Dobbs Ferry. Intramural activities are also offered throughout the year for the recreational athlete. To apply to Mercy College visit www.mercy.
MOLLOY COLLEGE No. Name Yr Pos 1 Akemi Poyer So. UT 2 Angelique Serrano Jr. IF 3 Alex Burns Jr. OF 4 Karsyn Eaton So. IF 5 Tonianne Larson Sr. P 7 Emma Bachman So. OF 10 Courtney Greene Sr. P/UT 11 Grace Rende So. OF 12 Katie Hand Fr. IF 14 Amanda King Jr. P/UT 15 Megan McCormack So. C 17 Chrissie Huhn Fr. IF 22 Steph Conrade So. OF 24 Mikaela Tribby R-Sr. IF 25 Myah Cepeda Fr. 1B 28 Adriana Saab Jr. OF 29 Marissa Nicoletti Jr. UT 33 Maddie Meyers So. IF 47 Emily Haller Jr. P/IF
B/T S-R R-R R-R R-R R-R L-L L-L R-R R-R R-R R-R L-R L-R R-R L-L R-R R-R R-R R-R
Ht 5-4 5-4 5-5 5-5 5-5 5-3 5-8 5-9 5-6 5-8 5-9 5-3 5-7 5-6 5-7 5-6 5-4 5-7 5-2
Hometown/Previous School Elmont, N.Y./Elmont Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Yorktown Baldwin, N.Y./Baldwin Chino Hills, Calif./Chino Hills Long Beach, N.Y./Long Beach Westampton, N.J./Rancocas Valley East Islip, N.Y./East Islip South Portland, Maine/South Portland East Meadow, N.Y./Kellenberg Guilford, Conn./Guilford Franklin Square, N.Y./Post University Croydon, Penn./Harry S. Truman Franklin Square, N.Y./Kellenberg Boca Raton, Fla./Spanish River Community Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale Oakland, N.Y./Indian Hills Garden City South, N.Y./Carey Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape Williston Park, N.Y./Herricks
Coach Susan Cassidy-Lyke
Courtney Greene
Head Coach: Susan Cassidy-Lyke (16th Season) Assistant Coaches: Dayna White, Ashley Melendez
Quick Facts Location: Rockville Centre, N.Y. Colors: Maroon and White Founded: 1955 President: Dr. James Lentini Enrollment: 3,300 Director of Athletics: Susan Cassidy-Lyke Nickname: Lions
Chrissie Huhn
Did You Know?
• Molloy is making its return to the ECC Tournament after snapping a streak of 10-straight playoff appearances in 2019. • The Lions are 7-5 against the field, including sweeping its semifinal opponent, STAC, 4-0 in the regular season. • As a team, the maroon and white are fourth in the nation in doubles, fifth in doubles per game, and ninth in hits. Freshman Chrissie Huhn is sixth in the nation in hits and 25th in stolen bases while senior Courtney Greene is 14th in sacrifice flies, 11th in wins, 4th in pitching appearances, and 7th in complete games. • Molloy ended the regular season on a 14-game winning streak.
About Molloy
Mikaela Tribby
Molloy College is an institution of the Dominican tradition which offers students a rich, multi-dimensional educational experience in an academically challenging environment. We foster critical thinking and creative exploration while preparing students to live and work in the global world of today. Money magazine recently ranked Molloy College the #1 “Value All-Star” in the nation.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE
Coach Kristen Sullivan
Carissa Della Vecchia
No. Name 1 Sinead Albelli 2 Nicolette MacDonald 3 Melissa Sadler 4 Carissa Della Vecchia 5 Nevaeh Via 6 Emilee Mayer 7 Kim Astrologo 8 Jacqueline Castro 9 Kaley Pederson 10 Elise Oliande 12 Taylor Sullivan 14 Kaitlyn Tudico 16 Paige Toothaker 17 Athena Zak 18 Tara Hagan 20 Lindsey Thyberg 22 Sarah Williams 23 Amanda Castro 24 Lauren Christensen 25 Amanda Schweitzer 42 Rudae Gadson 45 Morgan Santora 77 Jailene Santiago
Yr Fr. Jr. Gr. Sr. Fr. So. Jr. Fr. So. Sr. Gr. Fr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Fr. Sr. So.
Pos IF IF OF P IF OF IF/UT OF/IF C UT IF OF P IF P/UT P/UT IF IF C/UT UT IF C P/IF
B/T R/R R/R R/R L/L R/R L/L R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R L/L R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R R/R
Ht 5-3 5-5 5-11 5-4 5-4 5-10 5-5 5-1 5-4 5-7 5-8 5-7 5-7 5-10 5-7 5-7 5-2 5-5 5-9 5-4 5-6 5-5 5-6
Hometown/Previous School Norwood, N.J./Northern Valley Old Tappan Riverdale, N.J./Pompton Lakes Milton, N.Y./Marlboro Wappingers Falls, N.Y./Roy C. Ketcham Washingtonville, N.Y./Washingtonville Ennis, Texas/Centennial Mahopac, N.Y./Mahopac Alhambra, Calif./La Salle Riverside, Calif./Riverside Poly Hacienda Heights, Calif./Los Altos Suffern, N.Y./Suffern Marlboro, N.Y./Marlboro Central Ashburnham, Mass./Oakmont Regional Clarence, N.Y./Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart New City, N.Y./Clarkstown South Suffern, N.Y./Suffern New Hyde Park, N.Y./St. Francis Prep Long Beach, Calif./Woodrow Wilson Salem, N.Y./Salem Central Stony Point, N.Y./North Rockland Port Jervis, N.Y./Port Jervis Saddle Brook, N.J./Saddle Brook Albany, N.Y./Notre Dame Bishop Gibbons
Head Coach: Kristen Sullivan (7th Season) Assistant Coach: Natalie Traina, Bill Madden, Penny Roberts, Kyle Sullivan Melissa Sadler
Quick Facts Location: Sparkill, N.Y. Founded: 1896 Enrollment: 2,000 Nickname: Spartans
Colors: Maroon and Gold President: Ken Daley Director of Athletics: Nicole Ryan
Did You Know? Amanda Schweitzer
• St. Thomas Aquinas College reached the 20-win mark for the second time in three seasons • -Head Coach Kristen Sullivan’s team raced out to its best start in 10 years on the strength of an exciting 10-game win streak • Junior Carissa Della Vecchia was named the ECC Pitcher of the Week on March 15 & 22 and the Player of the Week on April 19, while fellow pitcher Paige Toothaker was named the ECC Pitcher of the Week on April 26. • Teammates Missy Sadler and Amanda Schweitzer both join the program’s prestigious 100hit club during the season.
About St. Thomas Aquinas
St. Thomas Aquinas College is a vibrant, student-centered institution located in the New York City Metropolitan area. Founded in 1952 by the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill as a teaching college, we have grown to a 72-acre campus, providing a safe, welcoming place to study over 100 majors, minors, and specializations in the School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business and the School of Education. Yet it’s just 15 miles north of New York City, giving you quick access to learning, cultural, internship, and career opportunities in one of the world’s most exciting cities. Our students come from around the globe and are active inside and outside of the classroom. At STAC, we are dedicated to creating a learning environment that extends beyond the classroom with various clubs and activities, 20 NCAA Division II athletic teams, 2 Varsity teams (Sprint Football and Ice Hockey), 5 Club Sports teams, study abroad opportunities, and a community where students can make lifelong friendships and “stand out” while “fitting in.” We are committed to the holistic development of our students. Our state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Bloomberg Professional Laboratory, the Innovation Center equipped with 3D printers, the Kraus Fitness Center, HD Television Studio, Digital Imaging Labs — to name a few — provide our students with top-notch technology and hands-on experience to develop their mind, body, and spirit. St. Thomas Aquinas College focuses on fostering student success. Through the support of our dedicated faculty and administration, and our career development services, our graduates join the ranks of our successful alumni, pursuing masters and doctoral degrees, as well as embarking on challenging and rewarding careers. You’ll find St. Thomas Aquinas College alumni at Fortune 500 companies, in the region’s top medical facilities, teaching tomorrow’s leaders in classrooms, or working in federal agencies, professional sport organizations, and many other professions. The College is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as Top-Tier Regional University, by Colleges of Distinction, both the NY and Catholic Editions, as a Military Friendly Institution, and by the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. These distinctions have been earned by our esteemed faculty, our highly motivated students, and our successful alumni. St. Thomas Aquinas College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education; its School of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and its School of Business is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).