Lye, Powers, Simpson earn All-NESCAC honors

2008 All-NESCAC Softball Teams

HADLEY, MA — The Williams College softball team placed three of its members on the 2008 All-NESCAC Softball Team Thursday, with junior Joey Lye earning First Team honors while senior Katie Powers and junior Morgan Simpson took home Second Team honors.

The Ephs starting shortstop and lead-off hitter, Lye led the conference in no less than six offensive categories, including batting average (.504), on-base percentage (.568), runs scored (41), hits (64), triples (3) and total bases (87). Her hits total of 64 set a single-season record at Williams, breaking the mark set by Laura Jacobs (60) in 1999. Her total bases total of 87 also set a single-season record at the institution, surpassing the mark of 82 set by Alana Frost in 2006. 

Lye played in and started all 39 games for the Ephs. She is the first Eph ever to record a .500 average or better and at the same time surpass 100 at-bats in a season. In addition to her conference-leading totals, she was third in the NESCAC in slugging percentage (.685), second in walks (18) to teammate Powers, and fifth in stolen bases (12). Her totals led the Ephs in 13 different categories. 

Powers, Williams' starting catcher, was third on the team in batting with a .333 average. She played in 38 games and led the Ephs in home runs (6) while tying Libby Copeland-Halperin for the RBI lead with 30. Powers also added eight doubles and one triple and had a .586 slugging percentage and a .432 on-base percentage.

Powers finished her career in the top five of six different offensive cateogries at Williams, including home runs, where her 15 left her second.

Simpson, who was the Ephs' No. 1 pitcher in terms of appearances and innings pitched, also played second base when not in the circle. Her .313 average was fifth-best amongst Eph regulars.From the circle, she finished 7-6 with a 2.40 ERA. She threw 87 1/3 innings over 19 appearances, allowing 92 hits while walking only 15 and striking out 63.

Williams finished its season 19-20, earning a bid in the NESCAC Tournament for the eighth consecutive season.