University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Softball Honored By BoSox Club
August 31, 2010 | Softball
Aug. 31, 2010
AMHERST, Mass. - For the sixth 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 Wednesday, Sept. 22 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.
"Our players and coaching staff are thrilled and honored to be the recipient of this prestigious award for our 2010 season," Head Coach Elaine Sortino said. "This truly means a lot to all of us."
Sortino, along with her staff, assistant coaches Jessica Merchant and Kristi Stefanoni, student assistant Brandice Balschmiter, and director of operations Whitney Mollica, led UMass to a 42-10-1 record in 2010 for a .802 winning percentage, the program's second-best ever in a season of at least 30 games. The Minutewomen went undefeated in Atlantic 10 play, going 17-0-1, before going 4-1 at the A-10 Championship to claim their 22nd conference title and sixth-straight. For the fourth year in a row, UMass hosted an NCAA Regional.
The team was a balanced attack of pitching, offense, and defense in 2010. The Minutewomen hit .292 as a team, slugging 58 home runs in 53 games while averaging over five runs per game. Sophomore Sara Plourde led the way in the pitching circle, leading the nation in wins (40), strikeouts (556), and strikeouts per seven innings (12.5) on her way to being name NFCA All-American and Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year. On defense, UMass committed the fewest errors in the country (28) and had the seventh-best fielding percentage (.978).
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.
