Celentano, Willis Pick Up CCC Rookie of the Week Distinctions
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 25, 2022) – First year's Mia Celentano (women's lacrosse) and CJ Willis (baseball) have been credited with Commonwealth Coast Conference Rookie of the Week honors after their accolades on the field over the past week.
Celentano helped guide the Golden Bears to a perfect 3-0 record on the week, coming away with an overtime win against Salve Regina University at Golden Bear Stadium before setting out to Eastern Connecticut State University in a 18-12 win in the team's final non-conference game of the season. Women's lacrosse then defeated Gordon College, returning to CCC play, taking down the Fighting Scots by an 18-goal margin. On the week, Celentano netted four goals and picked up one assist, good for five points. Celentano took a season high six shots, shooting five times on goal in the win over Gordon College.
On the season, the Hamden, Connecticut native has scored 16 goals and picked up a single assist, good for 17 points. Celentano has scooped eight ground balls and caused one turnover while taking 27 shots, 23 on goal. The Golden Bears wrap up the 2022 regular season on Wednesday, April 27 at 4:00 pm when they host Roger Williams University (13-1, 7-0 CCC) from Golden Bear Stadium.
CJ Willis continues to impress on the diamond, picking up his sixth CCC Rookie of the Week honors, and fourth consecutive accolade. The Auburn, Massachusetts native collected nine hits in 18 at-bats this week while slamming two home runs and picking up five RBIs for the Golden Bears. Western New England would go 2-2 on the week, with Willis leading the charge in a 14-2 win over Nichols College to begin the week. On the season, Willis has multiple team highs including games played, being the only Golden Bear to play in all 28 games thus far. Willis also leads the team in at-bats, runs, hits, home runs, RBIs, stolen bases, and batting average. The first year is just a single home run away from breaking the Western New England baseball single season home run record, which is currently held by Alan Fabian '87 and CJ Willis '25 at ten home runs.
Willis and the Golden Bears get set for a five game in five days schedule this week, opening up with a conference game on Wednesday, April 27 at 3:30 pm from Trelease Park as they host Wentworth Institute. WNE will then hit the road for four straight, making stops to Dean College (April 28), Salve Regina University (April 30, DH), and Wheaton College (May 1) this week.
