EDISON, NJ – Nicole Cheek of Marist College has been named Co-Rookie of the Year by the Eastern College Athletic Conference, it was announced today. Manhattan’s Elena Bowman was named to the ECAC’s All-Star first team, while Cheek was a second team All-Star choice.
The ECAC’s All-Star teams and major award winners were selected based on a vote ECAC Division I coaches or the designees.
Cheek enjoyed a spectacular freshman season, earning the MAAC’s Rookie of the Year designation as well. Cheek slugged 15 homers, which tied a Marist record and was eighth among all NCAA Division I players. She drove in a Red Foxes’ record 52 RBI, while hitting .348 and scoring a team-best 43 runs.
Cheek, who was also a first-team All-MAAC choice as an outfielder, let Marist to the MAAC Softball Championship title and a 30-26 record. The Red Foxes advanced to the NCAA Tournament in Norman, OK, where they fell to eventual NCAA champ Oklahoma.
Bowman earned first-team All-ECAC honors as a utility player. Also a freshman in 2013, she belted 12 homers, second best in the MAAC behind Cheek. Bowman, also a first-team All-MAAC selection, was fourth in the conference in slugging percentage (.672) and on base percentage (.491), and second in hit by pitches (20). Bowman started all 46 games the Jaspers played in, at catcher, third base or designated player.
Cheek shared ECAC Rookie of the Year honors with Morgan Decker of Lehigh.