University of Massachusets Athletics
Robustelli ECAC Player of the Year
May 30, 2003 | Softball
May 30, 2003
CAPE COD, Mass. -- University of Massachusetts senior shortstop Emily Robustelli (Stamford, Conn.) was named the 2003 ECAC Division I Softball Player of the Year. She was joined on the All-Star squad by her teammates senior first baseman Brandi Cross (Diamond Bar, Calif.), senior pitcher Kaila Holtz (North Vancouver, British Columbia) and junior outfielder Aisha Franke (Philadelphia, Pa.).
Robustelli, who was also the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and the A-10 Tournament Most Outstanding Performer, was second on the UMass squad this year with a .364 average. She led the team with 43 runs scored, 64 hits, 15 doubles, four triples, 105 total bases and a .597 slugging percentage. The senior also tallied six home runs and 35 RBI. Robustelli's efforts also earned her a spot on the third team National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-America squad.
Robustelli was joined on the first team All-Stars squad by Cross and Holtz. Cross, the Verizon Softball Academic All-American of the Year, was fourth on the team with a .318 batting average and led the squad with 11 home runs and 37 RBI. Her 11 four-baggers are the most in a UMass single-season while her 26 career dingers are tied for the most in school history. Cross also tallied seven doubles and 30 runs scored this year. She was an A-10 All-Conference and All-Tournament team member in 2003 while being picked as the New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association Player of the Year.
Holtz has been named the A-10 Pitcher of the Year the past two seasons and posted a 23-9 record in 2003 with a conference-low 1.09 ERA. The senior tallied 27 complete games, 10 solo shutouts, two combined shutouts and two no-hitters that included a perfect game. At the plate Holtz hit .284 while recording 40 hits, including eight doubles and five home runs.
Representing UMass on the second team All-Stars is Franke. She led the team in batting with a .403 average and was second on the club with 54 hits. Franke has also recorded 23 runs, 14 RBI and 18 stolen bases. She was also an A-10 All-Conference member and a NEISCA All-Star.
The ECAC All-Stars are voted on by ECAC Division I coaches.