Pennino, Mears take home annual Region 19/GSAC awards, 6 Dukes honored for All-Region/GSAC
The RCSJ-Cumberland Dukes ace Bailey Pennino has been named the Region 19 and Garden State Athletic Conference Softball Pitcher of the Year. Pennino accrued 133 innings on the mound in 2021 while striking out 101 opponents and only committing 40 walks. Pennino posted a 3.32 earned run average over her 24 appearances and averaged 5 strikeouts per 7 innings. The most impressive stretch of Bailey Pennino's season may be the weekend she completed during the Region 19 tournament. During this 2-day tournament; she pitched a total of 33 innings, giving up 13 runs and striking out 26 batters.
As a hitter this year, Pennino also helped herself at the plate. She hit for a batting average of .395 with 4 home runs, 7 doubles, and 21 RBI's. Joining Bailey on the All-Region and GSAC First Team are middle infielders Madison Sloan and Karlee Rossetti. The shortstop, 2nd baseman duo both split time between the 2 positions and excelled both on the diamond and offensively. Madison Sloan hit for an average of .500 (third-best in school history for a single season) while hitting 4 home runs, 20 RBI's, 11 doubles, and 5 triples. Sloan also led the team in hits with 52. Karlee Rossetti was the lead-off slapper for the Dukes all of the 2021 season, she hit .361 with 43 hits and a team-leading 16 stolen bases. Rossetti was second on the team in runs scored with 31 and she also collected 12 RBI's.
Rounding out the All-Region and GSAC First Team for Cumberland was sophomore Gianna Demarco. The well-rounded infielder and pitcher was named to the utility spot on the region/conference team after hitting .370 with 16 RBI's. Demarco was tied for the team lead in walks with 16 and was second on the team in on-base percentage (.480). She hit 1 home run, 7 doubles, and 2 triples.
All-Region and GSAC Second Team honors were earned by both Catcher Olivia Powers and Outfielder Sarah Morgan. Powers started every game behind the dish for the Dukes and was one of the best defensive catchers that the region/conference had to offer. In addition to her defense, she hit for a .360 batting average with 3 home runs, was second on the team in RBI's (23), and led the team in doubles (13). Sarah Morgan hit for a team-high .420 batting average and was second on the team in steals (15), hits (47), runs (33), and at-bats (112). During the 2021 season, Sarah also eclipsed the 100-hit total for her career at Cumberland. She now stands at 105 career hits while also being the program's stolen base record holder with a total of 66.
Last but certainly not least, Head Softball Coach Magic Mears earns Coach of the Year honors for the 2021 season. Coach Mears is in his 3rd year with the Dukes and has appeared in the Region 19 Final Four in both of his years coaching Cumberland (2019, and 2021). This year he guided his squad to a 10-18 overall record in the regular season but went on to win the Region 19 Softball Championship Tournament as the 3-seed. This is only the 2nd time in school history that the softball program has accomplished this feat. Mears currently holds a record of 18-15-1 in Region 19 play over a 2 season period.
Full Region/GSAC Teams to be released later today.