philanthropy | athletics
Carmen and Juan Núñez Endowed Scholarship An endowed scholarship fund has been established in the name of Carmen and Juan Núñez, parents of Eastern President Elsa Núñez. Two book scholarships were awarded from the fund for the first time this past spring, and plans call for similar awards in subsequent years. “My parents never had the opportunity to go to college,” explained President Núñez, “They are honored and pleased to see this fund used to support deserving students with unmet financial need.”
The Warrior Magic is Back! After an 18-year layoff, the most successful postseason softball program in New England history regained its magic touch this spring. Under the direction of head coach Diana Pepin, Eastern returned to the national tournament after winning its first regional title since 1992 with a thrilling 1-0, nine-inning victory over the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. At the eight-team, double-elimination national tournament held in Eau Claire, WI, the Warriors won three games and took home third place behind Division III’s most dominant pitcher: sophomore All-America Molly Rathbun of Hebron, who set a number of season records, including those for wins (30), consecutive wins (27), complete games (26), shutouts, strikeouts and consecutive scoreless innings (48 2/3). The national tournament appearance capped a remarkable, record-setting season for the Warriors. Eastern won its first outright Little East Conference championship and first LEC postseason title, established a season record for regular-season winning percentage and tied the 25-year-old record for wins en route to a 39-6-1 slate. Four seniors – shortstop Kim Church of Farmington, centerfielder Ashley Sullivan of Trumbull, first baseman Katie O’Toole of Waterbury and catcher Nikki Mustin of Canterbury – also played important roles in the team’s climb to national prominence. Church batted .297 and set a career record for assists by a shortstop; Sullivan blossomed into one of the program’s top offensive players ever, finishing the season
The Warriors softball team finished its season as the third-best team in the country in NCAA Division III.
with a .392 batting average; starting first baseman O’Toole batted a career-high .289; and starting catcher Mustin worked seamlessly with Rathbun from behind the plate. Other team members included juniors Katie Dinihanian of Stratford and Rachel Soychak of Mahopac, NY; sophomores Priscilla Alicea of Stratford, Tina Brosnan of Preston, Kassondra Silva of Hamden, Christine Yeomans of Durham and Rosie Manzo of Hudson, MA; and freshmen Christine Akcer of Milford, Kelly Patterson of Southington, Katie Sokoloski of Eastford, Jamie Vallarelli of Vernon, Courtney Weber of Groton, Molly Cole of Wilbraham, MA, Amanda DiCicco of Somersworth, NH, and Arielle Cooper and Katie Stack, both of Mystic.
E-Club Hall of Fame to Induct Class of 2010 Six former athletic greats will be inducted into the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame at the 17th Annual Hall of Fame banquet on Oct. 24. The reception and ceremony will begin at noon in the Betty R. Tipton Room in the Student Center. Continued on page 21
20 E ASTERN Fall 2010