University of Massachusets Athletics
Softball To Be Honored Once Again By BoSox Club
September 15, 2009 | Softball
Sept. 15, 2009
AMHERST, Mass. - For the fifth consecutive year, the UMass softball team will be honored by the BoSox Club, the official booster club of the Boston Red Sox, as the top Division I softball team in New England. The Minutewomen will be guests at the club's annual Amateur Baseball Awards Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 2 at the Newton Marriott.
The annual event serves as the club's opportunity to recognize and honor the top baseball and softball teams from New England's Division I schools, successful teams in youth and other amateur baseball leagues, and the BoSox Club Man of the Year.
"We very much appreciate the BoSox Club continuing to recognize the excellence and consistency that Coach Sortino, her staff and players have achieved with our softball program," UMass Athletic Director John McCutcheon said.
Head coach Elaine Sortino, along with her staff, Jessica Merchant, Kristi Stefanoni, and Emily Wehr, led UMass to a 41-10 record in 2009 for a .804 winning percentage, the program's best ever in a season of at least 30 games. The Minutewomen went 16-2 in Atlantic 10 play before going 3-0 at the A-10 Championship to claim their 21st conference title and fifth-straight. For the third year in a row, UMass hosted an NCAA Regional, where UMass went 2-3, winning the first game of the regional final against Washington, 5-1, before falling in the second game to the eventual national champion, 6-1, in a 15-inning epic game.
"We are very honored to be chosen again for this award by such an outstanding organization," Sortino said. "The BoSox Club has a great tradition and we feel proud to be a part of it."
The team, which finished the season ranked 14th in the country in both major polls, had the complete package of pitching and offense in 2009. The pitching staff combined for a 1.24 ERA and held opposing batters to a .176 average. At the plate, the Minutewomen batted .297 as a team and shattered the school-record for home runs in a season with 70.
Sortino was honored by the Atlantic 10 Conference at the conclusion of the regular season when she was named A-10 Coach of the Year for a record 10th time. Now sixth on the active Division I coaching wins list with a record of 1,058-441-5, Sortino and her assistants were also honored by being named NFCA Northeast Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
Senior pitcher Brandice Balschmiter and junior centerfielder Carly Normandin were both named NFCA All-Americans, as well as winning Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year Awards, respectively. UMass also placed three players on the All-ECAC Team, four on the NFCA All-Region Team, and seven on the All-Atlantic 10 Conference Team.
The BoSox Club was formed in 1967 by Red Sox officials and fans to promote baseball at all levels and to assist the Boston Red Sox in community and charitable endeavors. Today, with over 800 members, it is the largest and oldest official fan club of its type in all of Major League Baseball. Former Red Sox player Dom DiMaggio was the Club's first president, while former broadcaster Ken Coleman is a charter member.
Traditionally, the BoSox Club has raised funds both inside and outside its membership to support many worthy causes including the Red Sox Foundation, the Jimmy Fund and New England Little League organizations. The BoSox Club is also instrumental in providing seating for challenged fans at Fenway Park through the Challenger Program, and provides financial assistance to a select group of deserving athletes to attend a baseball camp each summer.
Every September, the BoSox Club honors championship teams from various leagues at a luncheon. Winners receive trophies. Leagues being recognized include the Massachusetts American Legion, Massachusetts 13-15 year old Babe Ruth League, Cape Cod League, Division I College Baseball and Softball, Division 1 High School Baseball, Intercity League, Massachusetts Little League, Boston Park League and the Yawkey League. Membership in the BoSox Club is $90 a year.
