Walsh, Simpson pick up All-TCCC honors

 NEWPORT, R.I. - Salve Regina University senior Christina Walsh (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) has been named to The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Second Team while freshman Marissa Simpson (Brimfield, Mass.) garnered Honorable Mention accolades.

Walsh led the Seahawks with a career-high .381 average despite playing the majority of the season with a broken thumb. In 16 TCCC games (15 starts), she recorded 16 hits, scored 11 runs, laced four doubles, drove in 17 runs, and stole five bases. The winner of the 2011 Salve Regina University Sportsmanship Award also recorded a team-high nine sacrifice hits, four multi-hit games, and drove in multiple runs on six occasions. A career infielder, Walsh was converted to an outfielder this season to help accommodate a plethora of talented freshman infielders. She finishes her career with a .288 lifetime batting average, 76 hits, 55 runs, 10 doubles, two triples, 40 RBI, 40 sacrifice hits, and 11 stolen bases.

An Honorable Mention selection as a utility player, Simpson placed second on the Seahawks with a .275 average in conference play and led them in nearly every major offensive category, including hits (27), doubles (12), triples (two), RBI (19), and slugging pct. (.597). She placed second in the conference in doubles, tied for third in walks (12), and tied for fourth in triples. In the circle, Simpson went 5-4 with a 3.79 earned run average (ERA). In 68.1 innings, she allowed 85 hits and 47 runs (37 earned) with 12 walks and 45 strikeouts. She was tied for second in TCCC with three shutouts, ranked eighth in strikeouts, and ninth in innings pitched.

"I'm very excited to see both Christina and Marissa recognized," said Salve Regina head coach Kerri Scroope. "Christina went out with a bang and she will be sorely missed next year. Marissa showed everyone around TCCC that she has a very promising career ahead of her at Salve Regina, both on the mound and in the outfield."

Jennie Lacolla of Endicott was named both Player and Rookie of the Year. Teammate Jenna Bortolotti was named Pitcher of the Year, Dan Letellier of the University of New England was tabbed Coach of the Year, Bethany Greenfield of Eastern Nazarene was the conference's Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year, and Wentworth received the Team Sportsmanship Award.

The Seahawks finished the 2011 season 15-26 overall and 12-12 in the conference. They suffered a 4-3 loss in 10 innings at Roger Williams in the first round of the conference championship playoffs.