Lye joins Ephs' coaching staff

WILLIAMSTOWN, MA — With so much success already, why go anywhere else?

Just days after graduating from Williams, Joey Lye signed on for another year, this time playing the role of protégée to Ephs head softball coach Kris Herman.

Lye will become Herman’s assistant for the 2010 season after recently completing her record-setting career for the Ephs.

“I'm excited to have someone on our staff who has proven her dedication and loyalty to Williams softball and the college,” Herman said. “Joey loves the game and has a lot of playing experience. Her former teammates also are very excited to have her on the staff, and because of both her on-field successes and work ethic, I expect she will be a tremendous model and teacher for our team in 2010.”

Before she finished her career in May, the Ephs shortstop set five career records at Williams and finished among the top 10 in 11 different offensive categories.

Lye was selected as the ECAC 2009 Div. III New England Player of the Year. She was also named the NFCA's New England Region First Team as an at-large selection and as the NESCAC Player of the Year. She was also a New England Softball Coaches Association First Team selection.

Her 2009 batting average of .563 led 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.

She appeared in the May 25, 2009 issue of Sports Illustrated in the "Faces in the Crowd" section. Lye is the 25th Eph athlete to appear in "Faces in the Crowd" since August of 1989 and the first softball player.