5 UMPI Owls gain post-season softball honors

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Association of Division III Independents (AD3I) has named two  softball players from the University of Maine at Presque Isle to its first all-independent team and three to its second team.

The softball all-independent teams were named on May 19 with Sara Packard, an UMPI junior from St. Albans, selected to the first team as a pitcher. Packard started every game for the Owls and pitched in all but two and two-thirds of an inning throughout the season. She amassed 207 strikeouts and ended with a 3.16 earned run average.  She also had a good season offensively, finishing the year with a .350 batting average. Packard hit four home runs and drove in 28 runs this season.

Ariel Williams, a freshman from Frisco, Texas, was selected to the first team as an outfielder. Batting in the leadoff position for UMPI, she had a .374 batting average and .425 on base percentage. Williams collected 24 RBIs and stole nine bases, while also leading the team in doubles (11) and hits (52).

Outfielder Nicole Marucci, a junior from Naples, received second team recognition.  Marucci led the team in batting average (.393), on base percentage (.445), slugging percentage (.664), triples (4), RBIs (30) and home runs (4).  She also stole nine bases and totaled nine doubles.

Jackie Peers, a freshman from Limestone, was selected to the second team as a second baseman. Peers batted .333 and had a .389 on base percentage. She stole eight bases and drove in 11 runs for the Owls.

Jordi Legassie, a sophomore from Presque Isle, was honored with a second team selection as a shortstop. Legassie carried a .350 batting average and scored 26 runs. She stole nine bases and drove in 15 runs for the Owls.