BOSTON – America East has its first repeat softball Pitcher of the Year in 20 seasons as Courtney Coppersmith earned the honor for the second-straight season to highlight the 2021 #AESB award winners, which were announced on Wednesday afternoon.
After no awards were handed out during the abbreviated 2020 season, Coppersmith headlined four major award winners and was joined by UMass Lowell’s Courtney Cashman (Player of the Year) and Ryley White (Rookie of the Year). UMBC head coach Chris Kuhlmeyer earned Coach of the Year accolades after leading his squad to its first-ever #AESB regular-season title.
The award winners were determined in a vote by the league's head coaches who were not permitted to vote for their own players.
Full Awards Listing
2021 #AESB Major Award Winners
Pitcher of the Year
Courtney Coppersmith, Jr., UMBC
- First repeat pitcher of the year since 2001 and only the third in league history joining Boston University’s Robyn King and Hofstra's Jen Smith.
- League leader in wins (16), ERA (0.71), BAA (.103) and K/7 (12.2).
- In 119 innings pitched has allowed just 12 earned runs on only 40 hits and 33 walks while striking out 208 hitters.
- Went 9-1 with a 0.66 ERA in 10 conference starts.
- Was a five time #AESB Pitcher of the Week this season.
- She was also selected to the All-Conference First Team and All-Academic Team.
Player of the Year
Courtney Cashman, Sr., UMass Lowell
- First-ever River Hawk to earn the honors.
- Leads the league in OPS (1.359), home runs (11), extra base hits (18), walks (22) and runs scored (29).
- Second in on-base percentage (.505), third in RBIs (29) and fifth in batting average (.382).
- Was a two time America East Player of the Week honoree this season.
- She was a first-team All-Conference selection for the fourth-straight year as well as an All-Academic choice.
Rookie of the Year
Ryley White, So., UMass Lowell
- Third River Hawk in last four complete seasons to earn the honor joining teammates Courtney Cashman and Lovina Capria.
- Third in the conference with a 1.67 ERA.
- Went 8-2 and struck out 82 hitters in 75 2/3 innings pitched.
- Also a second-team All-Conference pitcher and an All-Rookie selection.
Coach of the Year
Chris Kuhlmeyer, UMBC
- Led UMBC to its first-ever #AESB regular-season title.
- First Retriever coach to earn Coach of the Year honors.
- Went 11-5 to in conference play to earn the No. 1 seed for the #AESB championship for the first time.
In addition to the major awards, the All-Conference teams were also named. The top four teams in the standings, UMBC, UAlbany, Stony Brook and UMass Lowell garnered 21 of the 26 accolades.
White headlined the All-Rookie team along with four others who also earned All-Conference reognition.
The All-Academic squad features 12 impressive student-athletes, eight of which were also All-Conference honorees.Collectively, the groups averages a 3.87 GPA.
Stay up-to-date on the tournament by visiting Championship Central for streaming and live stats links. After the game, visit for box scores, highlights and recaps following the semifinals in addition to team information, tournament history and more.
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