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It didn't take long for Stacey Sullivan to make an impact on the University of Maine softball program. In just her first season at her alma mater, Sullivan led the Black Bears to a school-record 35 wins and the 2006 America East regular season championship. For her efforts, Sullivan was awarded the America East Coach-of-the-Year honor. In 2007, Sullivan mentored a young Black Bear squad that faced one of the most taxing schedules in school history. Maine did not enjoy the comforts of playing at home at the newly renovated Mike Kessock Field until April 24, and in all, only played in front of the home crowd four times. The roster featured 14 underclassmen, including 11 freshmen. The extensive traveling did not wear down the Black Bears, but provided them with experience that they used at the end of the season and will use again in preparation for the 2008 campaign. Maine closed out the season in solid fashion by winning seven of its last 12 games and challenging for a playoff spot in the final two series of the regular season. Sullivan tutored a trio of players who were honored by the league following the season, including freshman outfielder Alexis Souhlaris (All-America East First-Team, America East All-Rookie Team), freshman utility player Whitney Spangler (All-America East Second-Team, America East All-Rookie Team) and senior first baseman Kristie Hawkins (All-America East Second-Team). The Black Bears also enjoyed success in the classroom as three players were named NFCA Academic All-Americans, including Ashley Waters, Christine McGivney and Marguerite Soule. Sullivan also received a significant individual honor in December when she was honored by the NFCA with the Victory Club Award for attaining her 100th career win during the 2007 campaign. Sullivan reached the century mark in career wins on March 10 in a 5-3 win over Georgia State. Now entering her third season at Maine, Sullivan stands committed in her desire to bring even more success to the program. She believes the success achieved during her first-two seasons is just a taste of things to come during her tenure in Orono. Welcome Home Coach Sullivan, a four-year starter for the Black Bears from 1996-99, was named the fourth head coach in program history on Aug. 10, 2005. Prior to returning to Maine, she spent the previous season as the head coach at Merrimack College. The Black Bears started the season and the Sullivan era in fine fashion as they raced out to a 10-3 record in 2006, including wins over major conference schools such as Toledo from the MAC and Saint Joseph's, Pa. from the Atlantic 10. Maine was tough at home as it posted a stellar 13-4 record. The Black Bears didn't flinch when America East play began as they started off league competition with a 5-1 mark. The five wins in the first six contests were all part of Maine's 16-5 America East record, which locked up the league's regular season title and the right to host the conference's four-team championship in May -- marking just the second time in school history the Black Bears hosted the America East championship. In addition to the team's school-record for wins, the Black Bears also broke team single-season school records for doubles (66) and walks drawn (134). The team's success on the field also led to several individual achievements and highlights. Four Black Bears were named to the America East First-Team, including seniors Brittany Cheney, Sarah Bennis, Amy Kuhl and freshman Jenna Balent. Balent was named the league's rookie of the year after she finished the season with a 14-12 record and a stunning 1.35 earned run average. Senior outfielder Erin Provost was honored with a second-team selection, while Balent joined Ashley Waters on the league's all-rookie team. Success Prior to Maine Sullivan was the head softball coach at Merrimack in 2005, leading the Warriors to a 20-22 overall record with a 16-12 mark in the Northeast-10 Conference. Prior to Merrimack, she served as the head coach at Simmons College in Boston from 2002-04. In 2004, she led the Sharks to their most successful season in school history, setting school single-season records for wins (20), runs scored (226) and team batting average (.303). The team went 15-9 in conference play for a sixth-place finish in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference and finished the season 20-15 overall. A four-year starter at the University of Maine, Sullivan helped lead the Black Bears to four-straight America East playoff appearances from 1996-99. She played catcher and outfield, was named captain in 1999, and was named to the America East Academic Honor Roll in 1997 and 1998. Sullivan graduated from Maine with a B.A. in mass communications in May 1999. She is currently pursuing her masters in sports leadership at Northeastern University. |
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