Softball

Endicott senior Megan Huckins was named the 2006 CCC Player of the Year Saturday.

Gulls Showered with CCC Accolades

Huckins is Player of Year; Savitske named Pitcher of Year; M. Sargent earns Rookie of Year

May 7, 2006

BEVERLY, MA - The Endicott College softball team has dominated the Commonwealth Coast Conference in recent years, but veteran head coach Mark Veilleux had more questions than answers as he headed into his 12th season for the Blue and Green.

With only three starters returning to compete for a school-record fourth straight CCC title, Veilleux had plenty of reason for concern. But the veterans blended perfectly with the newcomers to form a formidable starting nine. The Gulls raced through the conference regular season to the tune of a 20-2 record and swept through the CCC Tournament winning three straight games to hoist their fourth crown.

After another record-setting season, Endicott (28-13) was showered with plenty of CCC accolades as well. Senior first baseman Megan Huckins (Bangor, ME/Bangor) was named the CCC Player of the Year, junior pitcher Robyn Savitske (Hellertown, PA/Saucon Valley) earned her second consecutive CCC pitcher of the Year and freshman catcher Meghan Sargent (Salisbury, MA/Triton) captured the CCC Rookie of the Year.

All three were also CCC First-Team All-Conference selections. Sophomore centerfielder Paula McGinn (Lynn, MA/Lynn Classical) was also a first-team nominee while freshman leftfielder Danielle Sargent (Sabattus, ME/Oak Hill) and sophomore catcher/designated hitter Rachel Pearson (Gales Ferry, CT/Ledyard) were each named Honorable Mention All-Conference nominees.

Huckins capped a steller four-year career at EC by leading the team in hitting (.395) while driving in 31 runs and rapping out five home runs. The four-time CCC all-star owned a .597 slugging percentage and a .430 on-base percentage. She stole nine bases and struck out just 13 times in 142 plate appearances while hitting .426 with runners in scoring position and .636 with a runner on third base.

Huckins' leadership and hustle was best exemplified in the CCC championship when she beat out a slow roller to third base to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh with two outs. Two batters later, Pearson sent the capacity crowd at Endicott home happy, blasting a three-run walk-off homer to lift the Gulls past Curry, 7-4.

Savitske once again proved that she is the best pitcher in the conference and among the very best in New England, posting a 1.91 ERA and a 15-7 record in 24 appearances. Savitske, who was the program's first All-American selection last season, fired 139 innings with 137 strikeouts and just 21 walks. She gave up 120 hits and averaged 5.79 innings pitched per start and 6.9 strikeouts per game.

Meghan Sargent got stronger with each at-bat this season. In a 107 at-bats, she hit .393 with CCC-best 15 homers, which ranks eighth in the NCAA, plus she delivered a team-high 45 RBI. Sargent also led the conference and is currently ninth in the nation with a .916 slugging percentage and a .485 OBP. Sargent batted .429 with runners in scoring position, including .600 with a runner at third base and delivered 20 two-out RBI.

McGinn set the table for the Gulls' potent attack from her leadoff spot in the order. With a .277 average, McGinn stole 22 bases in 24 attempts and had a .349 on-base percentage. McGinn hit .463 leading off an inning

Pearson slugged eighth homers and drove in 33 runs with a .537 slugging percentage and a .366 OBP. Pearson hit .405 with runners in scoring position and .500 with two outs. Danielle Sargent hit .315 with a pair of home runs and 23 RBI.

The Gulls will begin the NCAA Regional Tournament May 11.