Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Preview: Katie Bettencourt

Katie Bettencourt

There is only one player in the Atlantic 10, currently playing who has ever won Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and that is Katie Bettencourt of UMass.

Bettencourt first burst on to the scene in 2009 with a clutch pinch hit against Danielle Lawrie in the epic 13 inning thriller between the two schools in the NCAA regional final. Bettencourt really made her mark in 2010 though, she burst onto the scene hitting .333 with 51 hits, 7 HR, and 31 RBI. Bettencourt was especially dominant during A10 play, hitting .500 with 25 hits, 5 HR, and 18 RBI en route to being named Co-Atlantic 10 Player of the Year.

Bettencourt's offense was sorely missed by the Minutewomen after she went down with a season ending injury last season, UMass hit just .238 with 32 HR with Bettencourt back to anchor the UMass order, those figures will be much better in 2012.

Bettencourt is also UMass' emotional leader on the field, as she plays the game with a fiery intense passion that rubs off on both teammates and opponents. With Bettencourt back in the lineup for the Minutewomen in 2012, we may see a much different Minutewomen squad this year.