The Lady Beacons have started the season 11-5, which is the best start in team history. A huge contributor to the early season success has been freshman starter Erika Vecchiet. On April 4th, Vecchiet was named the LEC’s freshman of the week, an honor which barely scratches the surface of her contributions to the Lady Beacons. Vecchiethas been on fire lately, going 4 for 10 in the three games she started for the Lady Beacons from March 27 through April 3. Vecchiethas quickly gained a reputation for being clutch at the plate. Last week alone she had two go ahead hits. The first one came in the form of a two- run double to put the Lady Beacons ahead of Bridgewater State for a 5-4 comeback win. The next day, she hit a game tying RBI double, later scoring the winning run, thanks to a Framingham Sate error.

When asked about her season, fellow infielder Kasey O’Connell said: “I think Erika has been doing great this year. She deserves rookie of the week.” O’Connell went on to say, “Her batting is great. Every time the team needs a big hit she delivers one.”

Jaci Goodwin echoed O’Connell’s statement. “She’s been a really clutch player so far this season. When it comes to the bottom of the 7th and we need runs, I’m confident that she’ll pull through.”

Vecchiet is a product of Pequannock, NJ and was recruited in her home state and Connecticut before ultimately choosing UMB. When asked about the decision to be a Lady Beacon she said: “When I came up for my visit, I got to meet the girls on the team and I could just tell that they were the type of people I could get along with and also win with.”

Erika is obviously comfortable being here and her numbers through 16 games agree. Vecchiet is batting .296 this year with 8 RBIS and an impressive 7 walks, good enough for 6th in the conference. “Being rookie of the week hasn’t changed anything at all. If it wasn’t for me having my team behind me, then it would have never happened. I’m so proud of all of us and its great to be a part of the UMass softball team.”