Sullivan, Balent lead off UMaine’s AE honorees

ORONO – The University of Maine softball team picked up two major America East honors Wednesday night.

First-year head coach Stacey Sullivan was named the league’s Coach of the Year, while redshirt freshman pitcher Jenna Balent was named the conference Rookie of the Year.

Three other Black Bears were named to the America East all-conference first team.

Balent, fellow pitcher Sarah Bennis, shortstop Brittany Cheney and designated hitter-first baseman Amy Kuhl made the first team.

Right fielder Erin Provost is a member of the second team. Balent and second baseman Ashley Waters were named to the all-rookie team.

Sullivan, who took over the program this summer, guided the Black Bears to a 35-17 overall record, which is the most wins for the program in a single season. Maine also finished 16-5 in the conference, which was good for the top seed and the right to host the America East tournament. Sullivan is a 1999 Maine graduate.

Balent takes a conference-low 1.25 earned-run average and 14-10 record into Thursday’s first-round tournament game against Boston University. She also struck out 142 while walking 46, and hasn’t allowed an earned run in her last six appearances, including three starts. Her conference-only ERA is 0.29.

University of Maryland Baltimore County first baseman Melanie Denischuk was the Player of the Year and Albany’s Casey Halloran was the Pitcher of the Year.