Burger leads list of four Bulldogs to earn All-NEC honors
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Sophomore outfielder Taylor Burger (Killingworth, Conn.) of the Bryant University softball team led the list of four Bulldogs to be recognized as All-Northeast Conference honorees, earning the 2015 Most Improved Player Award, announced the league office Wednesday afternoon.
After a solid freshman campaign in 2014, Burger emerged onto the scene in 2015 as one of the top hitters in the NEC, earning an All-NEC First Team nod in addition to her Most Improved Player award. Burger was lone Bulldog on the All-NEC First Team with juniors Elle Madsen (Wheat Ridge, Colo.), Liana Ogata (Tustin, Calif.) and Hayley Bottino (Canyon Country, Calif.) each grabbing second team recognition.
After hitting just .197 with 13 hits during her rookie season in Smithfield, Burger solidified herself as a force at the plate during her sophomore campaign, hitting a team-best .350 (fifth in NEC) and slugging a league-high .790. Her 11 homeruns ranked second among NEC opponents, behind only Madsen, while her 23 runs scored, 35 hits, seven doubles, two triples, and 30 RBI were all a career-best. The Connecticut native opened the 2015 season on an absolute tear, recording nine hits in her first eight games before suffering an injury that kept her sidelined for the first half of March. However, Burger wouldn't allow it to deter her as she bounced back to finish the season hitting .373 in the month of April. Burger wrapped up her tremendous season at the dish with a huge final week, recording a homerun in each of Bryant's final six games. During that stretch, the sophomore outfielder hit .529 with six homers, 11 RBI and seven runs scored to cap off an absolutely stellar year.
Madsen picked up her third-career All-NEC honor, earning second team recognition as a pitcher for just the first time as a Bulldog. In the circle this season, Madsen went 11-18 with a 3.11 ERA in 34 games for the Black and Gold. The junior allowed just 78 runs in 175.2 inning while striking out 96 batters on the year. At the dish, Madsen was once again tremendous, hitting .304 with four doubles, two triples and a league-best 12 homeruns.
Joining her classmate on the All-NEC Second Team for the first time in her career is Ogata, who put together another strong season as Bryant's every day second baseman. One of just four players to appear in at least 47 games this season, Ogata hit a career-best .303, finishing with a team-high 43 hits and 31 runs scored. The junior collected three doubles, 11 RBI and smacked her first-career homerun vs. Sacred Heart on April 18.
Rounding out the All-League picks for the Black and Gold is Bottino, who snags her second-straight honor, this year at the utility spot. The lone Bulldog to see action in all 49 games, Bottino was a do-everything option for her team throughout the year, seeing time at third base, pitcher, and designated player. At the dish, Bottino hit .273 with 11 doubles, a triple, six homers and 27 RBI. In the circle, she finished 4-11 in 23 games, allowing just 54 runs in 77.2 inning pitched for a 4.87 ERA.