HADLEY, MA — Williams College senior Joey Lye (Scarborough, ONT) was selected as the NESCAC Player of the Year today and joined classmate Morgan Simpson (McLean, VA) as a First-Team All-NESCAC selection.
"It's just a tremendous honor to get an award like this," Ephs head coach Kris Herman said. "I think it really speaks to Joey's character and ability to earn player of the year in a season we finished under .500. Joey has proven herself to be one of the best players in the country for four years — it's well deserved."
It was the third straight year Lye was deemed a First-Team All-NESCAC member. She was a Second Team selection in her rookie campaign. Lye is the first Eph to earn NESCAC Player of the Year honors since Laura Jacobs did so in 1999.
Lye's career ended last week in the NESCAC Tournament, but before she was done the Ephs shortstop set five career records at Williams and finished among the top 10 in 11 different offensive categories.
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| Morgan Simpson |
Her 2009 batting average of .563 currently leads the nation (Div, III) and is a Williams single-season record, of which she holds four, including stolen bases (22), which she also set this season. In 2009, Lye led the Ephs in runs scored (43), hits (63), total bases (73), walks (13), on-base percentage (.608), and assists (74) as well as the aforementioned batting average and stolen bases.
Lye finished her career as the all-time leader in batting average (.457), runs scored (150), hits (211), total bases (267) and stolen bases (62). That in 148 games played, third best all-time.
Simpson batted a career-best .425 this season with nine doubles, two triples and four home runs. She drove in 30 runs, which tied for the team lead, and scored 27. She also led the Ephs with a .660 slugging percentage.
From the circle, Simpson was 5-2 with a 3.79 ERA. In 44 1/3 innings, she allowed 50 hits and 18 walks while striking out 30.
"Every year she was here, Morgan became a better player," Herman said. "She probably could have earned most improved player all four years. She was steady for us all season. We depended on her and she came through for us."
Last year, Simpson garnered Second Team All-NESCAC honors.
