Zup, Roberts Receive All-GNAC Recognition
WINTHROP, Mass. – Seniors Jenna Zup (Berlin, Conn.) and Alyssa Roberts (Naugatuck, Conn.) of the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) softball team received Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) All-Conference accolades, it was announced Tuesday by the league's front office. Zup earned a spot on the All-GNAC Second Team at shortstop, while Roberts earned a nod on the All-GNAC Third Team at the utility spot. Junior Jordyn Fitch (Andover, Conn.) was selected to the GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team. The awards are voted upon by the league's 16 head coaches.
Zup enjoyed a stellar senior season for the Blue Jays, slashing .373/.412/.478 with a team-high 50 hits. The shortstop also recorded 33 runs scored, six doubles, five triples, one home run, 19 RBIs, a team-best 18 walks and six stolen bases. Her hit total ranked 10th in the GNAC, while she finished seventh in runs scored. Defensively, Zup posted a career-high 87 putouts, 74 assists and a .947 fielding percentage. The honor marks the first All-GNAC selection of her career.
Roberts was a two-way standout for USJ in her senior season. At the plate, she led the team with a .400 batting average and 29 RBIs. She also tallied 10 runs scored, six doubles, two triples, nine walks, a .448 on-base percentage and a .495 slugging percentage. In the circle, the Naugatuck, Conn., native paced the staff with a 3.25 ERA, an 8-7 record, three saves, 10 complete games and 41 strikeouts across 103.1 innings. Her ERA ranked seventh in the GNAC, and her batting average placed 13th. This marks the second All-GNAC honor of her career, having previously earned First Team recognition in 2023.
For the complete list of all-conference honorees, major award winners, and all-sportsmanship selections, please see below.
MAJOR AWARDS
Coach of the Year: Laura Leonetti, Johnson & Wales
Player of the Year: Mackenzie Clee, Johnson & Wales
Pitcher of the Year: Piper Kinney, Simmons
Rookie of the Year: Karla Carangelo, Albertus Magnus
Institutional Sportsmanship: Elms College
FIRST TEAM
P - Piper Kinney, Simmons
P - Katie Scheid, Johnson & Wales
C - Chantelle Bouchard, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
1B - Maren McGinn, Norwich
2B - Kaylee Caetano, Rivier
3B - Sylvia Foley, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
SS - Madison DeCota, Norwich
OF - Mackenzie Clee, Johnson & Wales
OF - Raya Anderson, Simmons
OF - Taylor Chelak, Emmanuel
DP - Morgan Pelletier, Johnson & Wales
UTIL - Zoe Soule, Simmons
SECOND TEAM
P - Skylar Arent, Albertus Magnus
P - Annabelle Jabs, Albertus Magnus
C - Mady Lyons, Johnson & Wales
1B - Abigail Grimes, New England College
2B - Amanda Marian, Johnson & Wales
3B - Jessica Forneiro, Johnson & Wales
SS - Jenna Zup, University of Saint Joseph (Conn.)
OF - Karla Carangelo, Albertus Magnus
OF - Sadie Tirrell, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
OF - Bianca Burke, Regis
DP - Meghan Theall, Lasell
UTIL - Francesca Pizzarella, Emmanuel
THIRD TEAM
P - Madison Marks, Emmanuel
P - Jill Reed, Johnson & Wales
C - Brooke Whitmarsh, Mitchell
1B - Shyanne Raccio, Lasell
2B - Amanda Penney, Emmanuel
3B - Hannah Muchemore, Rivier
SS - Emily Deleault, Simmons
OF - Caroline Amorelli, Johnson & Wales
OF - Teagan Buckley, Simmons
OF - Chloe Beland, Regis
DP - Ally Hyde, Simmons
UTIL - Alyssa Roberts, University of Saint Joseph (Conn.)
ALL-SPORTSMANSHIP TEAM
Ema Signore, Albertus Magnus
Paige Stewart, Anna Maria
Ashley Lester, Dean
Sarah Fortini, Elms
Amanda Penney, Emmanuel
Rachel Gosselin, Johnson & Wales
Kelsey Gallagher, Lasell
Emma LaBreck, Mitchell
Arianna Bayze, New England College
Rachel Kempf, Norwich
Lexi Nichols, Regis
Sarah Frazier, Rivier
Sadie Tirrell, Saint Joseph's (Maine)
Lucy Randa, Simmons
Jordyn Fitch, University of Saint Joseph (Conn.)
About The GNAC
The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 16 member institutions and over 4000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 20 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.
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