STANDISH, ME - Head Coach Jamie Smyth '92 has announced the 2009 Softball Team Awards. Six individuals were selected by the coaching staff to receive recognition at the team's awards banquet on May 23rd. Most Valuable Player, Gold Glove, Most Improved Player, "All Out," Coaches and Dani Waterman awards were presented.

The 2009 Most Valuable Player is third baseman Emily Leverone '11 (Hampton, NH). The first-year player posted a tremendous offensive season with new SJC single-season records in batting average (.547), slugging percentage (.920), on-base percentage (.581), hits (75), home runs (8) and doubles (17). Her batting average ranked second in all of NCAA DIII Softball, and she also ranked in the top 10 in slugging (7th) and on-base percentage (8th). For her efforts, Leverone was named All-GNAC First Team and received Conference Player of the Week honors on three occasions.

Liddy van der Linden '10 (Worcester, MA) received the 2009 Gold Glove Award after making just four errors in 169 chances as the Lady Monks' shortstop. Her play at the physically demanding position was a key factor in the team's 18-6 conference record, as the junior co-captain made 94 plays without committing a miscue in 24 GNAC contests.

Liz Jordan '09 (Sandwich, MA) is the 2009 Most Improved Player. A First Team All-Conference selection as a senior, Jordan batted .353 (42-119) and scored 29 runs as one of the team's top table-setters. She started 42 games in left field and led the squad with eight sac bunts while tying for the team lead with 12 stolen bases in 2009. She capped her two-year career at St. Joe's with 25 stolen bases, the ninth-highest total in SJC softball history, and was only caught stealing once.

The 2009 All Out Award, given to a player who excels in all facets of the game as well as the immeasurable aspects, goes to Anna Willis '10 (Gorham, ME). Well-known for her tenacious style of play with the bat as well as the glove in right field, Willis rebounded from a somewhat disappointing sophomore campaign to hit .363 (49-135) with 28 runs and nine stolen bases while hitting at or near the top of the order for the Lady Monks in 2009.

Samantha Gray '12 (Yarmouth, ME) is the 2009 Coaches Award recipient. As a freshman, Gray started 22 games, 11 at third base, for Coach Smyth and hit .323 (20-62) with six doubles and 12 RBI.

The 2009 Dani Waterman Award, given annually to the team's top pitcher, goes to Kiera Walsh '11 (Benton, ME). In 2009, the sophomore hurler posted a 1.58 ERA and an 11-5 record with 71 strikeouts and just five walks in 102 innings. The 2009 Second Team All-GNAC honoree paced the Lady Monks in virtually all pitching categories and her miniscule 0.34 walks per nine innings ratio ranked third in NCAA DIII Softball.

Saint Joseph's posted a 29-14 overall record in 2009 and fell to Emerson College in the GNAC Championship game before advancing to the ECAC Championship Tournament for the second straight season.