Jan. 20, 2016 PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Shortly after the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) announced its preseason squads, College Sports Madness (CSM) released their two 12-man rosters featuring senior outfielder Vanessa Gomez (Belleville, N.J.) among the recipients. Furthermore, CSM selected their preseason individual awards and freshman MacKenzie Brown (Bayonne, N.J.) was named Rookie of the Year. The announcement came yesterday.
The CSM staff picked the top softball players from each conference, in which these players will make significant contributions to their respective teams during the season.
Last week, Gomez earned a spot on the All-MEAC Preseason team after starting all 39 contests a year ago. Last season, she ranked among the top 10 in several conference offensive categories, including batting average (9th), on-base percentage (10th), doubles (7th), and stolen bases (3rd). Additionally, the squad's Most Valuable Player (MVP) received multiple awards, such as 2015 All-Conference, MEAC Player of the Week, and Spartan Invitational All-Tournament Team.
Brown enters her first season with the Lady Hawks after a successful career at Bayonne H.S. The two-time Hudson County Player of the Year logged the most unassisted double plays in school history. In her senior season, she recorded a .659 batting average, 44 RBIs, five doubles, four homers and three triples. Brown will become the first student-athlete under Sam Maggio reign, Bayonne Softball head coach, who went on to play Division 1 softball.
Other notables included Savannah State's first baseman Torrian Wright selected as Preseason Player of the Year after a Triple Crown season a year ago, posting a .584 batting average, 49 RBIs and 17 home runs. Hampton's Allyson Babinsack was named Preseason Pitcher of the Year despite the Wildcats' Sabrina Anguiano claiming the 2016 MEAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year award. Bethune-Cookman's head coach Laura Watten expected to take home Coach of the Year.
The 2016 MEAC Softball Championship tournament is scheduled for May 12-14 at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex in Ormond Beach, Fla.
On Feb. 13-14, UMES opens the season in Greensboro, N.C. where they will compete in the North Carolina A&T Aggie Invitational.
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