SUNY COBLESKILL HAS SIX SOFTBALL PLAYERS EARN ALL-NAC TEAM HONORS

Cobleskill, N.Y.: The SUNY Cobleskill softball team received a program record six players honored with All-North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Team honors by the league’s coaches for the 2022 season. The Fighting Tigers captured the league’s Western Division Championship with an 11-1 record in conference action as part of a 15-15 season record.  

Earning spots on the NAC First Team were senior shortstop Maya Davies, Binghamton, N.Y., Chenango Valley High School/Onondaga Community College, senior outfielder Jillian Nitchman, Ballston Spa, N.Y., Ballston Spa High School, and sophomore pitcher Marissa Wheeler, Kinderhook, N.Y., Ichabod Crane High School. NAC Second Team spots went to senior pitcher Victoria Decker, Stone Ridge, N.Y., Rondout Valley High School, sophomore first baseman Alexis Miranda, Nashua, N.H., Nashua High School, and Senior second baseman Aubrie Marx, Rotterdam, N.Y., Mohanasen High School. Additionally, Victory Decker was named to the NAC Sportsmanship Team.  

Fighting Tiger Head Coach Liz Neubinski spoke with proud about her players individual accomplishments and their impact on the team’s success.   

“I am so excited and proud of all six of our All-Conference players for their recognition and receiving these honors. Not only did they all have incredible seasons on the field, but they are all incredible people who were an honor to coach and call Fighting Tigers.” 

Senior center fielder Jillian Nitchman closed her career with her third All-Conference Team honor after earning All-North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) honors in 2019 and All-NAC honors in 2021. For the year the Ballston Spa, N.Y. native batted .358 with an on-base percentage of .392 with four doubles, two triples and two home runs scoring 30 runs and driving in 16 runs on the season. Also considered one of the league’s top center fielders Nitchman posted a .976 fielding percentage in 41 chances this year. 

Senior shortstop Maya Davies made the transition from third base to shortstop this season as the transfer from Onondaga Community College enjoyed an exceptional season batting .379 on the year with an on-base percentage of .402 with an impressive slugging percentage of .674. This year the Binghamton, N.Y. native pounded out 36 hits in 30 games including nine doubles, two triples, five home runs while batting in a NAC league leading 34 runs to go with 24 runs scored on the season.  

Sophomore pitcher Mariss Wheeler had what Coach Neubinski described as a “breakout season” this year as the hard throwing Ichabod Crane High School alumnus posted an 8-5 record in 17 appearances including 13 starts with a 4.45 ERA throwing nine complete games including two shutouts with 74 strikeouts in 74 innings of work.  

Sophomore first baseman Alexis Miranda provided the Fighting Tigers with a combination of powerful offense and gold glove level defense as the Nashua, N.H. native handled 223 chances in the field without an error while helping the team rack up 10 double plays. At the plate, Miranda batted .355 with an on-base percentage of .406 and a .559 slugging percentage belting four doubles, three triples and four home runs on the year batting in 18 runs while scoring 26 times in 30 appearances.  

Senior second baseman Aubrie Marx came off the injury list this season to solidify the Orange & Black at the plate and in the field as evidenced by the number of plays she made in the field that robbed opponents of hits and the double plays she helped turn. In 16 appearances the Mohanasen High School alumnus batted .396 going 19-for-48 at the plate with an on-base percentage of .463. Marx proved to be a clutch hitter with a triple and five doubles leading to 15 RBI and 17 runs scored in her limited playing time.  

Senior pitcher Victoria Decker was the workhorse of the staff this season posting a 6-9 overall record in 19 appearances including 15 starts compiling a 3.76 ERA in 83.2 innings of work. The Stone Ridge, N.Y. native struck out 43 hitters while walking only 20 on the year completing eight games while tossing a pair of shutouts.  

Victoria Decker was also selected to the NAC Sportsmanship team which honors student-athletes in keeping with the conference's theme of "Creating an Atmosphere of Respect" for each of its sports. The establishment of the Sportsmanship Team in all sports is in concert with the league's ultimate goal to create an atmosphere that places the highest regard for exemplary behavior of all participants, coaches, administrators, fans and officials.