DAVIS & KILCOYNE NAMED TO ALL-GNAC SOFTBALL SQUAD
BOSTON, Mass. – Emmanuel College sophomore shortstop Catherine Davis (Wethersfield, Conn.) and freshman pitcher Jill Kilcoyne (Worcester, Mass.) have been named to the 2014 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Softball All-Conference team, it was announced by the conference office on Monday. This marks the second straight year that Davis has appeared on the All-Star squad, earning First Team honors this year, while Kilcoyne was tabbed on the GNAC Second Team.
BOSTON, Mass. – Emmanuel College sophomore shortstop Catherine Davis (Wethersfield, Conn.) and freshman pitcher Jill Kilcoyne (Worcester, Mass.) have been named to the 2014 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Softball All-Conference team, it was announced by the conference office on Monday. This marks the second straight year that Davis has appeared on the All-Star squad, earning First Team honors this year, while Kilcoyne was tabbed on the GNAC Second Team.
Davis put together another impressive campaign, batting .373 on the year to lead the Saints. The sophomore led EC in almost every single offensive category including a .438 on-base percentage and a .635 slugging percentage which ranked ninth overall in the GNAC. The shortstop amassed 22 extra base hits on the year which ranked third in the conference including 15 doubles which was the second most among GNAC players and first among GNAC infielders. Davis drove in 26 RBI on the year while also scoring 26 runs. Out of the leadoff spot in the Saints lineup, Davis drew a team-high 16 walks which ranks fourth in the GNAC and her 80 total bases on the year was also good for fourth best in the conference. The Wethersfield, Conn. native collected 14 multi-hit games on the year and hit safely in 30 contests. Davis registered her 100th career hit in a crucial 2-1 victory over Suffolk University on April 18, becoming the fastest player to reach the 100 hit milestone in program history.
In her two seasons, Davis has already established herself as one of the top players in program history. The sophomore caps her second year with a combined .403 career average, 104 hits and 56 RBI. Davis has scored 61 runs to go along with 168 total bases.
Kilcoyne earns Second Team honors after a breakout rookie campaign on the mound for Emmanuel. She put together a 10-win season on the hill, posting a 1.56 earned run average which ranked second in the GNAC. The rookie recorded 151 strikeouts which was tied for the league lead, averaging 8.71 K's per game which was the second highest total among GNAC pitchers. Kilcoyne tossed 17 complete games to rank second among her league peers, throwing a total of 121+ innings.
The highlight of Kilcoyne's season came on April 19 when the Worcester, Mass. native tossed the program's first-ever perfect game in an 8-0 victory over Anna Maria, striking out 10 in the win. Both pitchers in the contest had no-hitters going into the fifth inning and the Saints struck for eight runs in the bottom of the frame to end the game early and preserve the perfect outing for Kilcoyne.
Also being honored by the GNAC was freshman first baseman Susie Kieselback (Wethersfield, Conn.) who was selected to the GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team.
The Saints wrapped the 2014 season with a 17-21 record and the program's first GNAC playoff berth since the 2004 season. Emmanuel fell in the opening round of the GNAC tournament to Suffolk University, 4-2, but will look to build off this year's success.
Click here to view the entire 2014 GNAC All-Conference Softball Team