Softball Tabbed 12th In NE10 Preseason Coaches' Poll

Kelly Mayette is one of nine juniors on this year's squad and led the team in strikeouts (71) (Photo Courtesy: Denise Archetto).

EASTON, Mass. (January 27, 2022)-The Stonehill College softball team has been picked to finish 12th in the Northeast-10 Conference (NE10) preseason coaches' poll, as voted on by the NE10's 14 coaches, as announced by the conference office Thursday afternoon.

Last season, Stonehill finished the year with a 5-24 record (4-20, NE10) and was seeded seventh in the NE10 tournament. It marked the first time in five years the Skyhawks played in an NE10 tournament game. However, they ended up bowing out in the first round after against the second-seeded Franklin Pierce University.

Adelphi University led the voting with 162 points with six first-place votes, while Saint Anselm was not far behind with 159 points and eight first-place votes. Franklin Pierce University was voted third with 139 points, followed by the University of New Haven at 122 points, and then Southern New Hampshire University rounded out the top five with 118 points. The rest of the voting went as follows: Le Moyne University (101 points-sixth), Assumption University (94 points-seventh), Pace University (82 points-eighth), Southern Connecticut State (81 points-ninth), American International College (65 points-10th), Bentley University (62 points-11th), Stonehill College (37 points-12th), The College of Saint Rose (35 points-13th), and finally Saint Michael's College (17 points-14th).

This year marks the first season for head coach, Ali Maloof, after previously serving as an assistant coach at Wellesley College for the last two seasons. Prior to Wellesly, she served as an assistant coach at her alma mater (Southern New Hampshire University) for four seasons. She helped Southern New Hampshire to a record of 132-64 (.674) overall over those four seasons, including 67-34 (.663) in the NE10, with three NCAA Tournament appearances and reaching the NCAA Division II Super Regionals in 2016.

Coming into this year, Coach Maloof added eight new Skyhawks while 13 student-athletes from last year return including nine juniors. One of the juniors includes team captain, pitcher, Kelly Mayette. Mayette led the Skyhawks in innings pitched (71.1) and strikeouts (40). She had 13 games where she recorded multiple strikeouts including a career-high six strikeouts at American International College (March, 14).

Courtney Brochu is another returning junior who is also a team captain and was one of the squad's best hitters last season. Brochu hit a solid .289 with a slugging percentage of .333 and drove in nine. She had six games where she recorded multiple hits including two three-hit games (March 31 vs. Bentley and April 11 at Assumption University).

Courtney Brochu is the other team captain for the 2021-22 season and will look to continue her strong 2020-21 campaign (Photo Courtesey: Denise Archetto).

The Skyhawks will also be featuring key sophomore returners, Marissa Dwyer and Alexandra Hammond. Last season for Stonehill, Dwyer ranked third on the team in home runs with two and recorded her first career homer versus Bentley University (March 31). For the year, Dwyer hit .208 with a slugging percentage of .306. and on-base percentage of .269. On the defensive end, Dwyer served as a key infielder as she was one of 11 Skyhawks to have a fielding percentage above 90 percent (.925).

Hammond also had a strong year last season batting .222 with a slugging percentage of .222 too. Hammond also posted a solid .269 on-base percentage while swiping two bases on the year. She was one of five who recorded multiple stolen bases (2) during the 2020-21 season. Behind the plate and in the field, Hammond led the squad in putouts (131) which was also ranked in the top 15 (14) in the NE10.

Stonehill opens the season in Auburndale, Fla. against Cedarville (Ohio) University on Saturday, March 5 at 12:15 p.m. Once the team returns from their trip, their first home game is a weekend NE10 doubleheader against The College of Saint Rose on Saturday, March 26 at noon on Lou Gorman Field.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.

2022 NE10 Softball Coaches' Poll

1) Adelphi - 162 (6)

2) Saint Anselm - 159 (8)

3) Franklin Pierce - 139

4) New Haven - 122

5) Southern N.H. - 118

6) Le Moyne - 101

7) Assumption - 94

8) Pace - 82

9) Southern Conn. St. - 81

10) American Int'l - 65

11) Bentley - 62