Lamb Named to Preseason All-BIG EAST Softball Team
1/4/2001 12:00:00 AM | Softball
PROVIDENCE, RI (Jan. 4, 2001) -- Senior infielder Vickie Lamb (Yorktown Heights, NY) was picked as an infielder on the 2001 Preseason All-BIG EAST Softball Team in a vote of the league's coaches, it was announced by the conference office on January 4. The league also announced its 2001 Preseason Coaches Poll, where Seton Hall was chosen to finish in a tie for third place with Virginia Tech.
Lamb was an All-BIG EAST First Team selection each of the past two seasons. She made it as a utility player last year and enters the 2001 season as Seton Hall's starting third baseman. Lamb hit .391 last season to lead the Pirates, while also homering four times and driving in 16 runs. She also slugged .609 and had a .535 on-base percentage. Seton Hall finished 25-18-1 last year and 7-9 in the BIG EAST.
Considered one of the more feared hitters in the BIG EAST, Lamb had a record-setting sophomore season in 1999 in leading the Pirates to a 39-8 record and second place in the league. She hit .462 and set single-season school records for hits (55), home runs (15) and RBI (50).
Lamb enters the 2001 season ranked first all-time at Seton Hall with 22 home runs and 105 RBI. She is likely to become Seton Hall's all-time hits and runs leader this year, as she is ranked second in both categories.
Notre Dame was a unanimous selection to finish first in 2001, followed by Connecticut in second place. The Pirates share third place with league newcomer Virginia Tech. Notre Dame's Melanie Alkire is the Preseason Player of the Year while teammate Jennifer Sharon is the Preseason Pitcher of the Year.
Seton Hall returns all but two letterwinners from a year ago. In addition to Lamb, All-BIG EAST Second Team pitcher Misty Beaver (Machesney Park, IL) returns to anchor the pitching staff. Beaver went 12-7 last year with a 1.42 ERA and is Seton Hall's all-time strikeout leader. Sophomore pitcher Christina Shanko (Delmont, PA) also returns after setting a school record with a 1.01 ERA last season.
2001 Softball Preseason Coaches Poll 2001 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
1. Notre Dame (10) 100 P Jennifer Sharon, Sr., Notre Dame
2. Connecticut (1) 91 P Kim Ryan, So., Boston College
t3. Seton Hall 68 C Jarrah Myers, Jr., Notre Dame
Virginia Tech 68 IF Melanie Alkire, Sr., Notre Dame
5. Boston College 64 IF Vickie Lamb, Sr., Seton Hall
6. Villanova 55 IF Andrea Loman, So., Notre Dame
7. Syracuse 50 IF Jackie Pasquerella, Sr., Villanova
8. St. John's 43 IF Jessica Yanosy, Sr., Connecticut
9. Rutgers 29 OF Nicole Dubovik, So., Connecticut
10. Pittsburgh 25 OF Jenny Kreich, Jr., Notre Dame
First-place votes in parentheses OF Lizzy Lemire, Sr., Notre Dame
U Sara Carlson, So., Villanova
DP Mary Lowzinski, Sr., Virginia Tech
