Albany, NY— The Sage Colleges' department of athletics gathered to recognize and honor the outstanding performances of the 2018-2019 year with the naming of the athletic award winners for the 17 varsity athletic teams. In addition to awarding the Gator Award, for the Most Outstanding Player, the department also named the 2018-2019 Female and Male Rookies of the Year as well as the 2018-2019 Female and Male Athletes of the Year.

Sage honored senior outfielder Lindsey Decker (Ballston Lake, NY/Shenendehowa) as the Gator of the Year in softball. A leader on and off the field, Decker has took on the role as a co-captain this season and was a leader at the plate as well. Decker added 39 hits in 2019 with a team-best 25 RBI. Honored for her academic prowess, she was also a repeat honoree for the Empire 8 Presidents' List, while also garnering a repeat induction into Sage's Athletic Honor Society at the banquet.  Decker ranked nationally in 2019 in sacrifice flies and had a career-best campaign as she racked up a .417 slugging percentage and had a pair of home runs to go with her numbers that also boasted 10 multiple hit games.  

Head softball coach Erica Li noted of Decker, "Lindsey's commitment to the Sage Softball Program is unrivaled." Li added, "Every day she showed up looking to elevate her level of play, while also motivating other team members to do the same thing. She truly embodies what it means to lead by example. Lindsey has left her mark on our Sage Softball Team and we are so thankful for everything she has done for us this year."