BOSTON, MASS. -- Simmons pitcher Lauren Backhaus (Windsor, Conn.) was named Great Northeast Athletic Conference Softball Rookie of the Year announced by the conference Monday morning. At the conclusion of the regular season, Backhaus was ranked fourth nationally in Division III in shutouts, 14th in strikeouts per inning, and 18th in total strikeouts. Backhaus led the league in strikeouts for the regular season and finished her rookie season with 13-8 record, pitching 132 innings with a 1.86 ERA.

The Sharks were also well represented as the GNAC released its All-Conference teams. Emily Cunningham (Cotuit, Mass.) received first team honors, Amanda Gould (Kingston, N.H.) and Backhaus were both named to the second team, and Hannah Cunningham (Cotuit, Mass.) was awarded third team honors for their outstanding play this season.

Emily Cunningham had a stellar season for the Sharks. She started and played all 40 games at first base and finished the season with a .472 batting average, 20th in Division III. E. Cunningham received GNAC Player of the Week honors and ECAC Hitter of the Week honors during the season, and she led the conference in home runs with nine, and was second in RBI with 45. She finished the season ranked 7th nationally for slugging percentage, 12th for on base percentage, and 17th for total home runs.

Senior Amanda Gould finished her career with her most successful season, batting .382 with five home runs and 29 RBI. As the Sharks starting centerfielder, Gould played in all 40 games with a .959 fielding percentage.

Hannah Cunningham led all Sharks with 36 runs scored in her rookie season. She batted .349 with 45 hits and 27 RBI and hit three home runs, including her first collegiate grand slam against Suffolk University on April 6th.

Junior Cailin Pagel (Dorchester, Mass.) was awarded 2012 Sportsmanship Team honors for the Sharks.

Simmons finished with an overall record of 24-16 and 19-7 in the GNAC.

Click here to view the complete All-Conference Team honors.