BALTIMORE, Md. (May 9, 2017)-Morgan State sophomore Damali Young and seniors Kate Vosper and Audrianna Alvarez earned All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Softball team honors as announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon.
Young and Vosper were each named to the All-MEAC second team, while Alvarez was a third-team All-MEAC selection. The three join fellow teammate junior pitcher Amy Begg, who was named MEAC Pitcher of the Year and garnered first-team All-MEAC honors. Click here.
A native of Westampton, New Jersey, Young's base running ability has been a major factor in the Lady Bears' 23 wins, the second most in school history, just two shy of tying the record of 25 wins set in 1998. A MEAC Player of the Week selection…
Young, who leads the nation in stolen bases, set the school's single-season stolen bases record with 40, breaking the mark of 30, which she set a year ago as a freshman. She is now nine stolen bases away from becoming the school's all-time career leader. A one-time MEAC Player of the Week selection, Young tallied a game and MEAC high four stolen bases earlier in the season in a win over Howard.
She led the MEAC in runs scored (42), stolen bases (40-of-41) and is fourth in triples with four. Along with leading the nation in stolen bases, Young also finished the regular season ranked sixth in runs per game and 31st in triples. She leads Morgan State in runs (42), doubles (7), triples (4), and total bases (58).
"Earning All-MEAC honors has merely made the hard work I've put in all season worth it," said Young. "Every day I just tried to be a better softball player than the day before and that mindset led me to those distinctions that I graciously accept. Being ranked nationally as number one in stolen bases is huge to me. Last year I was 13th and knew I could be in the top-10 by my senior year. Moving all the way to number one as a sophomore makes me proud to play for Morgan State."
Vosper led Morgan State in walks (15), third in hits (34), second in RBI (22) and stolen bases with eight on nine attempts. A native of North Delta, British Columbia, Vosper ranked ninth in the MEAC in slugging percentage (.519) and also ranked 42nd nationally in triples per game with three.
"We have so many girls on the team who are integral to our success, so I'm truly grateful that I can represent Morgan on the all-conference team," said Vosper. "I've played here all four years and every year we improved dramatically so I'm excited to see what we can accomplish this year at MEAC's. This being my last year, I am ready to leave it all out on the field. I know that as long as we stay positive and play with confidence, we have no choice but success."
Alvarez finished the regular season leading the team in batting average (.344), RBI (25), at bats (131) and hits (45). A native of San Fernando, Calif., Alvarez ranked eighth in the MEAC in hits and 10th in batting average.
"Making the all-conference team is definitely a blessing," said Alvarez. "I worked hard last year and I was shocked that I didn't receive all-conference team or preseason all-conference honors. That only motivated me more this season, not only for myself, but for my team. Coach Myron [Vanterpool] told me to prove them wrong and I did just that. I'm glad I can represent my city and my team.
"This being my second and last MEAC Tournament is bittersweet," added Alvarez. Last year we got a taste of the tournament so this year we're hungry to go further. I'm definitely going to miss this team, but I can't wait to see them next year and how much further they'll go."
