Postseason Awards Preview: Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year

The contenders:

Chelsea Lenhart: George Washington came into 2011, after a bad 2010 campaign, thankfully outgoing coach Kim Staehle left new coach Stacey Schramm a nice welcome gift in Chelsea Lenhart. Lenhart has changed the complexion of the Colonial program along with Coach Schramm. Lenhart has been a big spark for George Washington at the top of the lineup with her bat and her speed. Another thing that I have noticed in watching this squad is that whenever George Washington needs a big hit Lenhart has come through for them. Lenhart leads the Colonials in almost every offensive category and she has been a player we have kept an eye from her first game at George Washington.

Gabby Luety: Fordham lost a big bat due to graduation last year in Erin Fisher and they gained a big bat this season with Gabby Luety. Luety has stepped up this year for Fordham and she has provided some real leadership on offense for a team that has sometimes struggled at the plate. Luety is currently second on the Rams in RBI and HR and she has provided some good protection for Jocelyn Dearborn in the leadoff slot. Luety also has a cannon behind the plate and she has formed an excellent 1-2 combo at catcher with Megan Shager. Luety is going to be a rock behind the plate and in the heart of the order for Fordham moving forward.

Stephanie Pasquale: there were big expectations coming in for Pasquale and she has delivered. Pasquale has been a leader for Temple this year both at the plate and in the circle. Pasquale has been at the forefront of the Temple renaissance and she has been a steady force in the cleanup hole. Pasquale swings a powerful bat and she has been the top run producer for the Owls. Temple has struggled offensively in the past and Pasquale has provided the big bat that the Owls have been missing in the past. Another impressive thing about Pasquale is that she very rarely strikes out, which is impressive considering the pitchers that she has gone up against this year. Pasquale is definitely going to be a force in the conference moving forward.

Ashley Snider: the Bonnies have had a power explosion this season and freshman Ashley Snider has been at the very center of it. Snider started off slowly, but she has been hot as of late. Snider has been swinging a powerful bat and more than half of her hits have gone for extra bases. Snider's power gives the Bonnies a great foundation moving forward in the middle of their defense and the lineup. The Bonnies have had to deal with some adversity in this season, but despite all that Snider has performed. She is definitely going to be one to watch moving forward. 

Lindsey Webster: this freshman outfielder has been one of the few bright spots on a struggling offense. Webster came into the year as a pitcher as well, but she has really made her mark playing right field for the Minutewomen.  Webster has been a steady bat for the Minutewomen and she has come up with some clutch hits in her brief career. Webster has really solidified the 2 hole for UMass and she has been very effective in that role and she has 10 sacrifices on the year, which is an outstanding number. Webster has done just about everything that has been asked of her and without her, I am not sure where UMass would be.