University of Massachusets Athletics
Carly Scores A Coup
May 20, 2009 | Softball
May 13, 2009
AMHERST, Mass. - Last Tuesday was a particularly busy day for University of Massachusetts junior outfielder Carly Normandin -- a full load of classes followed by softball practice (inside because it was raining), a quick return to her room to pack up for the team's trip to Fordham for the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament, and finally to the field, where the squad met to board a bus for the Bronx.
Three hours to unwind -- or maybe not.
As Normandin was getting on the bus, her phone beeped with a text message from a friend telling her she had been named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year. UMass softball sports information director David Gunn had posted the news on the school Web site while Normandin was at practice.
"I had no idea," said Normandin, the former Gardner High star. "It wasn't something I was setting out to do, but it worked out pretty well."
Normandin leads the A-10 in batting (.426) and slugging percentage (.761). From the leadoff spot, she has 10 home runs and leads UMass in doubles (14) and triples (four). She also has a team-high 20 stolen bases.
"I just want to get on base," Normandin said, "whether it's bunting for a hit or walking or hitting it over their heads if they're playing me in. I'm glad I've been able to step up for my team."
Normandin always has been a good hitter -- she batted an outrageous .690 as a senior in high school and .324 as a sophomore at UMass -- but facing top-level collegiate pitching, she really has been in a zone this season. She had a 23-game hitting streak earlier in the year.
Normandin owes her a lot of her success to timing and mental confidence. "And I'm looking at fewer pitches," she said. "I usually jump at the first good strike."
A first-team Atlantic 10 selection for the second consecutive season, Normandin has helped UMass, the conference champion, reach the NCAA tournament for the 14th straight year. The Minutemen (38-8) will host Ivy League champ Cornell at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the UMass softball complex. Washington and Sacred Heart will play in the first game of the regional at 5. Temporary lights are being brought in for the first night games at UMass.
"We're heading into the postseason thinking about what we can do and what's ahead of us," Normandin said. "We're going to go for it and have fun."
