Farrah Adam Named MASCAC Player of the Year; Clark Rookie of the Year; Owls Place Three on First-Team

WESTFIELD, Mass. –  Westfield State University's Farrah Adam (West Springfield, Mass.) was named the Player of the Year and Alyssa Clark (Uxbridge, Mass.) was named the Rookie of the Year as the Owls softball team fared well in the MASCAC All-Conference team voting.

In addition to the two major awards, Adam, designated player Madison Philbrook (Westhampton, Mass./Hampshire Regional)  and Utility catcher-outfielder Lindsay Cordopatri (Walpole, Mass.) were all named to the league's first-team.

Adam, a junior outfielder, led the league with a .464 batting average and a .521 on-base percentage. She also topped the conference in hits with 39 and doubles with 13. Adam scored 22 runs and drove in 16 in 27 games played.

"Farrah was so consistent and solid both defensively and offensively all year," said Westfield State head coach Colleen Bannister.  "She would quietly go about her business, but when you hear the crack of her bat- everyone stops to watch. When she gets a fly ball in a game, the bench is begging for the baserunner to tag so she can throw them out."

"We have an equipment list that I rattle off each game - and we added her name to the list because we knew if she was present, we were going to see her produce something special each game. She leads by example, but finds a way to raise the level of play for those around her," Bannister added.

Alyssa 'Louie' Clark,  a sophomore shortstop, hit .325 and tied for the league lead with five home runs, rapped six doubles, scored 23 runs, drove in 15 runs and stole six bases while playing as a solid shortstop with great range in the field.

"I have never coached a player who loves the process to greatness like 'Louie' does," said Bannister.  "If we let her, she would stay on the field defensively all day and hit in the cage all night. Her work ethic and coachability far exceeds all expectations. "

"She finds a way to improve every day and stretches me to find methods to challenge her. She also plays with a smile because she loves being out there and being around the team. She is the most appreciated and beloved players on the team because she always finds a way to make us smile.

Clark, and all the league's freshman and most sophomores were eligible to win the rookie of the year award as first-year collegiate players after the 2020 season had been canceled due to the pandemic, with the sophomores not using a season of eligibility.

Philbrook took on an increased role as a senior, and hit .328 with a home run, six doubles and 14 runs batted in 21 games played.

Cordopatri batted .371 and led the conference with 24 stolen bases. She scored 19 runs in 22 games, splitting time behind the plate and in center field.

"I am so proud of all of them," said Bannister.

Westfield finished with a 9-19 overall record and a 2-8 mark in league play.   Due to scheduling quirks of the pandemic, the Owls 12 games against eventual league champ Bridgewater State and regular-season champion Framingham State, while having several other games canceled against traditional conference foes.