NJAC NEWS ARCHIVE

 2006-07

May 3, 2007


MONTCLAIR STATE'S JIMENEZ & McCREA NAMED NJAC SOFTBALL PLAYER AND PITCHER OF THE YEAR


ROWAN'S SMITH NAMED LEAGUE'S TOP ROOKIE


Montclair State University sophomore shortstop Jennifer Jimenez and Red Hawk junior pitcher Carolyn McCrea have been named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Softball Player and Pitcher of the Year respectively for the 2007 season.

The 2006 NJAC Rookie of the Year, Jimenez has been selected both NJAC and ECAC Metro Player of the Week twice during the 2007 regular season. Against NJAC pitching, she posted conference-best statistics in batting average (.510); slugging percentage (.961); on base percentage (.621); RBI (21); home runs (6); total bases (49); and walks (15). In the overall conference statistics, she currently ranks second in the league in batting average (.470); slugging percentage (.843); on base percentage (.555); runs (42); hits (54); RBI (48); home runs (11); and total bases (97).

McCrea, who currently is tied for the NCAA Division III lead in victories, was a three-time NJAC Pitcher of the Week selection during the regular season. On the year, she currently is 27-3 with a 0.96 earned run average in 189.0 innings pitched. In the overall conference statistics, she currently leads the league in earned run average (0.96); opponent batting average (.178); innings pitched (181.0); strikeouts (189); wins (26); and saves (3). Against NJAC hitters, she posted league-best conference-only statistics in earned run average (1.01); opponent batting average (.194); strikeouts (88); wins (13); and saves (2).

Rowan University freshman outfielder Heidi Smith was named the 2007 NJAC Rookie of the Year. A Week 7 NJAC Rookie of the Week selection, Smith currently is hitting .400 with eight doubles, one triple, three home runs, 15 RBI and 18 runs scored. Against NJAC pitching, she posted a league-best 27 hits, while ranking second in the conference-only statistics in batting average (.466), slugging percentage (.707), and total bases (41).

Montclair State head coach Anita Kubicka was selected as the 2007 NJAC Coach of the Year by her peers. Selected to place fifth in the NJAC preseason coaches poll, she guided the Red Hawks to an overall record of 35-4 and the NJAC regular season championship via a 16-2 NJAC mark. Top-seeded Montclair will host the remainder of the 2007 NJAC Championship Softball Tournament at the MSU Softball Stadium on May 4-6. In 17 seasons at the helm of the Red Hawk program, Kubicka has registered a career coaching record of 541-197-2.


2007 NJAC SOFTBALL ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS