Thank You, Seniors: Wellesley College Softball Class of 2020
On March 13, a difficult decision was made to cancel the 2020 spring seasons for six Wellesley Athletics programs. Along with the cancellation of contests, practices and team events, the seniors in the Class of 2020 will miss the opportunity to celebrate Senior Day with their family, friends, coaches and teammates. Today we recognize Wellesley softball seniors Autumn Brown, Kalei Oliver, and Kendall Smith, and we hope you will join us in celebrating the spring student-athletes in the Class of 2020. Thank you, Seniors.
Autumn Brown '20
A Cinema and Media Studies and Studio Art double major, Autumn appeared in 85 career games for the Blue, hitting .306 with nine home runs and 41 runs batted-in. A native of Marshfield, Mass., Autumn earned NEWMAC and NFCA Academic honors during her four-year career with the Blue, finishing with a .968 fielding percentage and 74 career hits.
Kalei Oliver '20
A veteran of 89 career games in Blue, Kalei collected 64 hits and 27 runs batted-in. Kalei posted multiple career-highs during her junior season, totaling 16 RBI and a .309 average in 32 games. The Vista, Calif. native will leave Wellesley with an Anthropology and Cinema and Media Studies double major, having earned both NEWMAC and NFCA Academic accolades during her career.
Kendall Smith '20
Kendall hit a career-best .393 as a junior in 2019, finishing her career with 86 hits and 53 runs scored in 86 career games. An American Studies and Political Science science major, the Turlock, Calif. native posted a career on-base percentage of .393 while slugging .471 with 21 doubles and five home runs.
Head Coach Keri O'Meara on the Class of 2020:
Our Blue Softball class of 2020 is certainly going to be missed. We are devastated for them, that their season was cut short and that they don't have an opportunity to play in their last season. This class has experienced many challenges during their four years and have triumphed through it all. We love them and they will be dearly missed. We thought it would be nice if they knew how they impacted their teammates lives while here at Wellesley! We love you class of 2020!From the Blue Softball Team:
Being a first-year can be intimidating, especially when you are thousands of miles from home—but Kendall, Kalei, and Autumn welcomed me with open arms and helped make Wellesley College and the softball team my "home away from home". I am so thankful to the class of 2020 for exemplifying what it means to work hard on and off the field while being leaders and role models for others. I will miss them very much. ~Marisa Sgambati
The seniors on this team are exactly who I would envision when I think of a role model as they are outstanding leaders and extend a welcoming hand to everyone. ~Maura Flahive
To me, the senior class was super warm and supportive in a way that made me feel welcomed and right at home in a new environment! ~Ingrid Hsu
This class of seniors has provided me with amazing leadership for the time I have been on this team and I feel lucky to have been able to play with them, and they will be greatly missed next year. ~Marisa Hensch
While this year's seniors may have had their time cut short, their impact on the Wellesley Softball program will not be forgotten. Our teams success and comradery is a testament to their leadership on the field and in the classroom. ~ Holly Chin
From our very first days at Wellesley as first years to our tear-filled goodbyes last week, these three seniors have served as leaders, mentors, and friends to all of us, both on and off the field, showing a work-ethic, dedication, and love of the game that is unmatched. Autumn, Kalei, and Kendall have left and will continue to leave a deep impact on the program as a whole and each of us personally for many years to come. ~Lucy Cheskin
My whole class has been lucky enough to have almost three years playing with these seniors, and I think they've played a huge role in not only shaping this team but each of us individually by showing us what it means to be a part of the Wellesley softball program both on and off the field. ~Gen Brittingham
Through their dedication over the past four years, these three seniors have made this team a family with their leadership.~Tatum Kawabata
This group of seniors made me feel like a part of the program from the second I set foot on the Wellesley College campus. I will carry their leadership with me for the rest of my life. ~Alyssa Hana
Each of the seniors have helped me grow on and off the field in distinct ways that I will always remember and be so incredibly grateful for." ~Thyme Morton
Wellesley Athletics strives for excellence at the conference, regional, and national levels, while providing opportunities for students to achieve their potential and learn the values of discipline, leadership, critical thinking, and responsibility to oneself and others.