BOSTON – UMBC clinched the program’s third consecutive regular season championship with a sweep of UMass Lowell on Friday to secure the top seed in the upcoming #AESB Championship, while UAlbany finished its regular season on a high note with a sweep of Binghamton.
The Retrievers concluded the regular season at 15-4, three games ahead of second place Binghamton (13-7) in the loss column. The Bearcats dropped all three of their contests to the Great Danes this weekend, while Bryant took two of three from Maine to secure the No. 5 seed.
The 2023 #AESB Championship gets underway on Wednesday and every game will be broadcast on AETV. No. 4 UMass Lowell faces off against No. 5 Bryant at 11 a.m. in the opener while No. 3 UAlbany will play No. 6 Maine in the second game of the day. The losing teams from each of the first two games will conclude the day at 4 p.m. with the winning team advancing to Thursday’s action. For a full schedule of contests, ticket prices and directions, visit Championship Central.
#AESB Weekly Award Winners – May 8
Player of the Week
Ashley Della Guardia, UMBC – Jr., First Base, Phoenixville, Pa.
- Went 3-for-5 with a .714 on-base percentage and 1.200 slugging in two wins on Friday.
- In the opener, went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a home run.
- Reached base three times in the second game with two runs scored as UMBC clinched its third straight #AESB Regular Season Title.
Pitcher of the Week
Courtney Coppersmith, UMBC – Gr., Pitcher, York, Pa.
- Went 1-0 in two appearances with 6.0 IP and 11 strikeouts while allowing just two hits.
- Tossed a 5.0 IP, two-hit shutout of UMass Lowell with 11 strikeouts.
- This is Coppersmith’s third straight Pitcher of the Week honor.
Rookie of the Week
Deanna Grahek, UAlbany – Fr., Shortstop, Georgetown, Ontario
- Hit .600 with .750 on base percentage in a three-game sweep of second place Binghamton.
- Scored a pair of runs and tallied three hits overall.
Fans will once again be able to watch the majority of #AESB games this season. Select matchups will air on The AE on ESPN while others will air on AmericaEast.TV. Those games will be available on computers, OTT devices, and the America East app, which is available on all IOS and Android devices and can be found by searching 'America East Conference' in app stores.
Follow the @AEGameday Twitter account to stay up-to-date on America East softball news all season long and use #AESB to join the conversation.
2023 #AESB Weekly Award Winners
Feb. 14 – Player of the Week: Kelby Drews, Maine; Pitcher of the Week: Kaylie See, UMass Lowell; Rookie of the Week: Brianna Roberts, Binghamton
Feb. 21 – Player of the Week: Lindsey Walter, Binghamton; Pitcher of the Week: Ryley White, UMass Lowell; Rookie of the Week: Giana LaCedra, UMass Lowell
Feb. 28 – Player of the Week: Madison O'Berg, UMBC; Pitcher of the Week: Jerzie Nutile, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Amaya Carroll, UMBC
Mar. 7 – Player of the Week: Lindsey Walter, Binghamton; Pitcher of the Week: Allison L'Amoreaux, Binghamton; Rookie of the Week: Brianna Roberts, Binghamton
Mar. 14 - Player of the Week: Morgan Fisher, UMass Lowell; Pitcher of the Week: Ryley White, UMass Lowell; Rookie of the Week: Emily Riggs, UMBC
Mar. 21 - Player of the Week: Sierra Fretz, UAlbany; Pitcher of the Week: Kylie Kenney, Bryant; Rookie of the Week: Sara Anderson, UAlbany
Mar. 28 - Player of the Week: Sarah Rende, Binghamton; Pitcher of the Week: Kya Matter, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Amaya Carroll, UMBC
Apr. 4 - Player of the Week: Lyndsey Evix, UMBC; Pitcher of the Week: Kate Powers, UAlbany; Rookie of the Week: Giana LaCedra, UMass Lowell
Apr. 11 - Player of the Week: Courtney Paolantonio, Bryant; Pitcher of the Week: Courtney Coppersmith, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Brianna Roberts, Binghamton
Apr. 18 - Player of the Week: Courtney Coppersmith, UMBC; Pitcher of the Week: Sophia Pappas, Binghamton; Rookie of the Week: Brianna Roberts, Binghamton
Apr. 25 - Player of the Week: Morgan Petty, UAlbany; Pitcher of the Week: Courtney Coppersmith, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Amaya Carroll, UMBC
May 2 – Player of the Week: Sophia Pappas, Binghamton; Pitcher of the Week: Courtney Coppersmith, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Akira Kopec, Binghamton
May 8 – Player of the Week: Ashley Della Guardia, UMBC; Pitcher of the Week: Courtney Coppersmith, UMBC; Rookie of the Week: Deanna Grahek, UAlbany
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
– #3Pillars – Building the Complete Student-Athlete –