Binghamton, N.Y. - The UAlbany softball team brought in two major awards at the America East banquet on Tuesday night. The banquet is a night in recognition of accomplishments of both coaches and players during the regular season before the commencement of the America East championship tournament. In addition to the major awards, UAlbany placed players on the First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, and the All-Rookie Team.
Coach Chris Cannata was named America East Coach of the Year for the 2018 season. During this season, Coach Cannata reached and surpassed her 700th win with the Great Danes. She also led UAlbany to the regular season championship title.
Junior pitcher Celeste Verdolivo was named America East Pitcher of the Year. During the 2018 season, Celeste went 13-2, with a 1.83 ERA and 71 strikeouts. Celeste pitched the last two innings of the regular season title winning game and struck out two of the seven batters that she faced.
For the First Team All-Conference, Celeste Verdolivo was chosen as the pitcher. McKenzie Bump was chosen as the third baseman and Sarah Petzold was chosen as an outfielder. During the 2018 season, McKenzie Bump played in 39 games with 45 putouts and 29 hits. Sarah Petzold had 63 putouts, six home runs, and batted .295 in 41 games.
For the Second Team All-Conference, Chelsea Henige was chosen as catcher and Katie Falotico was chosen as the utility player. Chelsea Henige leads the Great Danes for 2018, batting .337. She recorded 115 putouts, 29 hits, two home runs, and 23 RBI. Katie Falotico batted .316 with a UAlbany high of 168 putouts. She also had 11 RBI, six doubles, two home runs, and 30 hits.
Amelia Ely, Katie Falotico, and Maranda Jimenez all made the All-Rookie Team. Amelia Ely had 58 putouts, 28 hits, and 17 RBI in 2018. Pitcher Maranda Jimenez had a 9-3 season with two saves. She recorded 51 strikeouts this season.
The All-Academic team included Celeste Verdolivo, Sarah Petzold, and senior pitcher Devin Durando.
Comments From Coach Chris Cannata
“I'm very proud of Cel and the pitcher that she has grown into this year. She has been extremely consistent every time she takes the mound this season and she has won a lot of crucial games for us. It's really nice to see all of her hard work paying off.
It's always an honor to be chosen by your colleagues as coach of the year, but every coach is only as good as the people that they surround themselves with. I need to give a sincere thank you to all the people that help me and our team be better every day.”
Next: The Great Danes will take the field on Thursday, May 10th at 11:00 PM in Binghamton, New York for the first game of the America East Tournament.
