CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) is proud to announce its annual softball awards for the 2018 season. Pitcher, Player, and Coach of the Year awards as well as All-Conference teams are voted on by conference coaches.
Player of the Year: Rebecca Vilchez, Oswego
Vilchez had an outstanding junior season for the Lakers with an overall batting average of .378 and an impressive conference average of .429. She notched 45 hits in 119 at-bats overall, and scored 32 runs, 23 in conference play. Throughout 34 games she recorded 2 homeruns and only 12 strikeouts, and led the conference in doubles and RBI with 15 and 22, respectively. In conference, she recorded an overwhelming .555 slugging percentage. In addition to her offensive performance, she had only five errors in 104 chances, recording a .952 fielding percentage. Vilchez received both Pitcher of the Week and Athlete of the Week honors this season.
Pitcher of the Year: Rebecca Vilchez, Oswego
In the circle, Vilchez recorded 14 wins in 30 appearances for the Lakers. In conference play, she notched an impressive 1.35 ERA, allowing only 68 hits and striking out 38 in 82 and two thirds innings. She also led the conference in homeruns allowed at zero, and allowed only six walks. Overall, she allowed 52 earned runs, 134 hits, no homeruns, and recorded a 2.61 ERA. Vilchez becomes the first athlete to receive both Pitcher and Player of the Year honors.
Rookie of the Year: Caroline Koch, Oneonta
In her rookie season, Koch was a true freshman, starting 35 out of 36 games for the Red Dragons. She slugged 39 hits, including seven doubles and two homeruns, in 103 at bats overall and had an impressive .385 in-conference batting average. She recorded a .505 slugging percentage, and led her team with 27 RBI. In the field, she posted a .920 fielding percentage, with 48 putouts and 102 assists. Koch will return a seasoned shortstop for the Red Dragons in the 2019 season.
Coach of the Year: Dave Sylvester, Geneseo
Under Sylvester, the Knights of Geneseo claimed the SUNYAC Championship title for the first time since 2002. The team is currently 30-7 overall, and went 13-3 in conference play, earning them hosting rights and the first place seed for the 2018 SUNYAC tournament. The Knights defeated the Red Dragons of Cortland, 5-1 to earn the SUNYAC title on their home field. The Knights will advance to the NCAA Regional this weekend in a quest for a World Series appearance.
2018 SUNYAC Softball All-Conference Teams (PDF)
| First Team | ||||
| Name | School | Pos | Yr | Hometown/ High School |
| Sam Van Dorn | Cortland | P | Jr. | Medford, N.Y./ Patchogue-Medford |
| Rebecca Vilchez | Oswego | P | So. | Franklin Square, N.Y./ H. Frank Carey |
| Selena Ruiz | Oneonta | C | Jr. | Westbury, N.Y./ W.T. Clarke |
| Skyler Hoyt | Cortland | 1B | Sr. | Endicott, N.Y./ Union-Endicott |
| Makenzie Keeler | Fredonia | 2B | Fr. | Jamesville, N.Y./ Jamesville Dewitt |
| Julia Blujus | Buffalo State | SS | Jr. | Amherst, N.Y./ Sacred Heart |
| Andrea Schoonmaker | Cortland | SS | Sr. | Marlboro, N.Y./ Marlboro |
| Bailey Schwark | Oneonta | 3B | So. | Port Ewen, N.Y./ Kingston |
| Dana Del Genio | Oneonta | OF | Jr. | New Hartford, N.Y./ New Hartford |
| Kelly O'Gorman | Cortland | OF | So. | Clifton Park, N.Y./ Shenendehowa |
| Alyssa Persich | Geneseo | OF | Jr. | East Northport, N.Y./ Commack |
| Danielle Szymkowiak | Buffalo State | OF | Sr. | Cheektowaga, NY / Cheektowaga |
| Hannah Feldman | Cortland | DP | Jr. | Buffalo, N.Y./ Sweet Home |
| Jennifer Groat | Plattsburgh | U | Jr. | Ballston Spa, N.Y./ Ballston Spa |
| Second Team | ||||
| Name | School | Pos | Yr | Hometown / High School |
| Alyssa Bluethgen | Oneonta | P | So. | Commack, N.Y. / Commack |
| Taylor Moore | Geneseo | P | Jr. | Stillwater, N.Y. / Stillwater |
| Karleigh Eaton | Brockport | C | Sr. | Endicott, N.Y. / Union-Endicott |
| Katelyn Dennis | Fredonia | 1B | Sr. | Webster, N.Y. / Webster Schroeder |
| Lindsay Wachna | Brockport | 1B | Sr. | Syracuse, N.Y. / Onondaga |
| Caroline Koch | Oneonta | SS | Fr. | New City, N.Y. / Clarkstown South |
| Kaitlyn Preiss | Plattsburgh | SS | Jr. | Cornwall, N.Y. / Cornwall |
| Taylor Felicello | Cortland | OF | Fr. | Marlboro, N.Y. / Marlboro |
| Samantha Hubinsky | Potsdam | OF | Sr. | Gansevoort, N.Y. / South Glens Falls |
| Danni Napoli | Geneseo | OF | Jr. | Wading River, N.Y. / Riverhead |
| Madelana Wrubel | Oswego | OF | Fr. | Yorktown Heights, N.Y. / Yorktown |
| Angela Frampton | Oswego | DP | Jr. | Corning, N.Y. / Corning |
