Antonelli, Rashi Awarded with Don Mackenzie Memorial Scholarships

SCC Official Release on Don Mackenzie Scholarship

PASADENA, Calif. – A pair of stellar El Camino College student athletes earned one of the most prestigious honors awarded by the South Coast Conference as baseball's Taylor Rashi and softball's Brigid Antonelli each received the SCC Don Mackenzie Memorial Scholarship by the SCC scholarship committee, it was announced Thursday.

The $500 awards go to sophomore student-athletes who exhibit strong academics and high performance on the field of play. In some cases, the student athletes chosen are ones who also have overcome obstacles and involve themselves in community service. The awards honor the memory of MacKenzie, a long-time SCC commissioner from 1979-2004.

Rashi had a record-breaking season for the Warriors in 2017 and helped lead the team to a third-place finish at the California Community College Baseball State Championships in Fresno, Calif. He led the state with 144 strikeouts on the season and earned a number of accolades including an American Baseball Coaches Association All-American First Team selection and ABCA Southern California Pitcher of the Year nod. Rashi was also named the SCC Pitcher of the Year after helping the Warriors claim their first conference title since 2010. Rashi also led the state with 118.2 innings pitched and allowed 7.96 hits per nine innings and just one home run on the season. Batters hit just .236 against him on the year. Along with his accomplishments on the field, Rashi accumulated a 3.4 GPA as a student at ECC and works as an EMT for McCormick Ambulance. He is headed to UC Irvine to continue his education and playing career.

Antonelli was a big part of the Warriors high-powered offense on the softball field. She played in 44 games, making 43 starts and batted .355 with 43 hits including 11 doubles and five triples. She was fourth on the team with 34 RBI and also stole 14 bases. Antonelli also earned her second straight All-SCC First Team selection and second consecutive selection to the California Community College Fastpitch Coaches Association All-SoCal Team. The infielder helped lead the Warriors to an undefeated season in conference play and the Warriors' second conference title in the last three seasons. Antonelli was perfect in the classroom with a 4.0 GPA and is planning on pursuing a nursing career. She will be transferring to Cumberland University in Tennessee to continue her education and playing career.