Softball

YORK, PA-The York College softball team had four players earn All-Capital Athletic Conference honors as announced by the CAC office on Wednesday morning. Sophomore Sam Lawrence (Bethlehem, Pa./Liberty), sophomore Heather Bormann (Brick, N.J./Brick Memorial), freshman Kelly Smith (Riverdale, Md./St. Vincent Pallotti), and freshman Kristen Gray (Mickleton, N.J./Kingsway Regional) all earned first-team accolades.

Lawrence makes her second appearance on the All-CAC squad, as she is the Spartans’ lone returning all conference player from 2007. Lawrence is currently hitting .381 with 17 runs scored, 12 RBI, three doubles, and a triple. She leads the squad in stolen bases with 17 while she owns a .402 on-base percentage.

Spartan head coach Jennifer Patrick is happy with the performance of her centerfielder.

“Sam has battled some injuries throughout the season but she has continued to push forward and play well,” says Patrick. “I expect her to continue to improve and become one of the best outfielders in the region.”

Bormann continues to evolve into one of the best all-around players in the conference. Bormann is currently hitting .482 with 38 runs scored, 16 RBI, eight doubles, three triples, one home run and 11 stolen bases. She has done the job at the plate but combines with Smith to form one of the best third base-shortstop combinations in the region. Bormann owns a .944 fielding percentage and has continually make tough plays all season long.

“Heather is a gamer that plays every out with her best effort,” says Patrick. “She has blossomed as a player and a leader for us. I look forward to having her for the next two years.”

Smith made an immediate impact on the Spartan lineup from the first game. She has hit in the three spot in the lineup in addition to playing an outstanding third base. Smith currently owns a .383 batting average as she has 29 runs scored, 22 RBI, six doubles, a triple, and one home run. She has a .450 on-base percentage, a .500 slugging percentage and 12 stolen bases. She has also posted a .966 fielding percentage with just four errors in 119 attempts.

“Kelly stepped into the heart of the lineup from day one and has been great for us,” says Patrick. “Her ability to play on both sides of the ball is very impressive and I am glad the coaches recognized her abilities.”

Gray earned a nod on the squad as an at-large selection. Gray split her time between catching and being the designated player for the Spartans. She is hitting .430 with 17 runs scored, 16 RBI, two doubles, a triple, and a home run. Gray owns a .477 on-base percentage while she is also very good defensively with a .978 fielding percentage.

“Kristen has done a good job behind the plate and has continued to improve as a hitter,” says Patrick. “She has a high ceiling and will continue to work to get better.”

The Spartans are currently 23-10 with eight games remaining on the schedule. The 23 wins already is a seven game improvement over last year’s 16-23 mark. The Spartans finished with a mark of 10-2 in the CAC, their best conference mark since the 2001 season when the Spartans went 6-2 and shared the CAC regular season championship with Salisbury. 

COMPLETE ALL-CAC TEAM

Sam Lawrence photo courtesy of Charlie Covell