Lye, Simpson earn All-New England honors

STARKVILLE, MISS. — Williams College senior Joey Lye (Scarborough, ONT) and classmate Morgan Simpson (McLean, VA) earned All-New England honors by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association recently.

Lye was named to the NFCA's New England Region First Team as an at-large selection, while Simpson was tabbed as a Second Team selection at the utlility position.

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. She was named the NESCAC Player of the Year.

Joey Lye '09

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.