The University of Maine softball program will be holding a clinic in December with proceeds benefitting a Stony Brook player who was recently diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.
All proceeds from the Dec. 4 clinic, scheduled from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the Mahaney Dome, will support the Danni Kemp Cancer Support Fund.
Kemp, a member of Stony Brook’s softball team, was recently diagnosed with the brain tumor.
The native of Milford, Connecticut, was hit by a pitch during an at-bat while playing summer softball. A few weeks later, she began experiencing dizziness and balance problems.
Doctors had thought it was a concussion, but after an MRI, Kemp was sent to Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut and was informed of the brain tumor.
Surgery is not an option due to the tumor’s location in Kemp’s brain and she began radiation therapy in August. Doctors continue to work to come up with a plan of care after Kane’s six weeks of radiation conclude.
The UMaine clinic is open to players between ages 9 and 18 and the cost is $50. In addition, Mizuno gloves will be auctioned off, T-shirts will be sold and a bake sale will be held.
3 MMA players honored
Three Maine Maritime Academy football players were named to the New England Football Conference all-conference teams, which were released on Tuesday.
Earning first-team honors on defense was linebacker Cody Chapman of Bangor, while defensive back John Bennett of Chelsea earned second-team honors.
Fullback James Ferrar of Cumberland garnered first-team recognition on offense.
In addition, the Hal Chalmers Senior Scholar Athletes award went to MMA defensive end Robert Bradley Jr.
Ferrar led the Mariners in rushing this fall, compiling 737 yards on 153 carries while scoring three touchdowns.
Chapman was one of the leaders of MMA’s defense, registering 38 solo tackles and 2.5 sacks. He also forced three fumbles and recovered one.
Bennett led the Mariners in interceptions with four, while compiling 37 solo tackles.
Bradley, an international business and logistics major from Louisiana, was also recently named to the Academic All-District first team and now will appear on the national Academic All-America ballot.
Bradley recorded 20 tackles this season.
4 SMCC athletes recognized
Four Southern Maine Community College soccer players have been named to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association All-Academic team.
The teams were announced at the USCAA’s awards banquet in Virginia Beach on Nov. 10.
Earning All-Academic honors were Hannah Fields of Shapleigh, Bronson Kieltyka of Monmouth, Douglas Cloutier of Berwick and Harrison Charwat of Virginia.
To achieve All-Academic status, a player must hold a grade point average of 3.5 or better and have completed at least 24 credits.
