Tucciarelli, Minarchick Named OCCAC Softball Player, Pitcher of the Year Recipients

By Nicholas Huenefeld/OCCAC Sports Information

The Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) has announced the 2016 All-OCCAC team and the major award winners.

Cuyahoga Community College's Serena Tucciarelli (Beaumont/Cleveland, Ohio), a freshman shortstop who hit .525 with 16 runs, two doubles, three triples, two home runs and 10 RBI in conference play, was named the OCCAC Player of the Year. She finished third in the conference in batting average, first in hits, first in doubles, third in home runs, first in slugging percentage, and second in RBI.

Cuyahoga, which finished second in the conference at 8-4, also placed three others on the All-OCCAC team including freshman outfielder Jamie Wilson (Willoughby South/Willoughby, Ohio), freshman pitcher Courtney Saville (Brunswick/Brunswick, Ohio), and freshman outfielder Nicole Ferrara (Independence/Independence, Ohio).

Owens Community College's Kailey Minarchick (Columbia Station/Columbia Station, Ohio), a freshman right-handed pitcher and head coach Marcus Smith were named the OCCAC Pitcher of the Year and OCCAC Coach of the Year.

The duo led Owens to a 10-2 record in conference play, which earned them their third straight OCCAC championship. Minarchick finished 7-0 with one save over nine appearances in conference play. In 49.0 innings, she posted a 1.00 ERA with 44 strikeouts. 

Furthermore, Minarchick is a four-time OCCAC pitcher of the week selection (March 27, April 17, April 24, May 1).

For Smith, it's his second consecutive OCCAC Coach of the Year selection. In that span, he has led Owens to a 20-4 record in conference play, a pair of conference championships and a Region XII championship.

Aside from Minarchick, Owens also placed four others on the all-conference team including sophomore outfielder Jacey Gray (Springfield/Holland, Ohio), who was the OCCAC Player of the Year in 2015, freshman right-handed pitcher Miranda Benschoter (Elmwood/Bloomdale, Ohio), sophomore catcher Ericca Herzog (Southview/Sylvania, Ohio) and sophomore third baseman Cassidy Rolf (Eastwood/Pemberville, Ohio).

Lakeland Community College, which finished third in the OCCAC with a 4-8 record, placed three players on the all-conference team. They were sophomore outfielder Kaitlyn Laseke (Elyria/Elyria, Ohio), sophomore infielder Kandis Laseke (Elyria/Elyria, Ohio) and sophomore catcher Casie Stark (Kirtland/Kirtland, Ohio).

Sinclair Community College, which finished in fourth with a 2-10 mark in OCCAC play, placed two players on the all-conference team. They were sophomore outfielder Liz Hillen (Mason/Mason, Ohio) and sophomore third baseman Brianna Bush (West Carrollton/West Carrollton, Ohio).

Congratulations to all these student-athletes!