(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)
With the 2018 softball season coming to close, the Missouri Southern Lions had four players slide onto the All-MIAA team released Thursday afternoon.
The Lions were represented by senior outfielder
Abi Corbett on the first team, while senior
Shelby Friend (SS), sophomore
Erika Lutgen (1B), and freshman
Natalie Hamm (P) each earned honorable mention.
Corbett competed in all 52 games and recorded 71 hits for first in the MIAA and fourth in the entire Division II softball landscape while also leading the conference in stolen bases (35) as well. On top of grabbing those numbers, the veteran capped off her career first in at-bats (741), hits (270), and stolen bases (107), to go along with a second place showing in games played (216) and runs scored (138) to ink herself into the MSSU softball record books.
Friend completed her career as a Lion by taking second on the team in slugging percentage (.449), RBIs (27), and home runs (2), third in total bases, and fourth in batting average (.323), hits (51), runs scored (23), and doubles (9). The senior's effort earned her Hitter of the Week honors after going an impressive 8-for-12 stand in the team's home-and-home series against rival Pittsburg State.
Lutgen made the start at first base in all but one game in her sophomore season and registered a team-high 15 doubles which tied her for sixth in the NCAA. The second-year player led Southern in five other offensive categories, including slugging percentage (.563), total bases (85), RBIs (33), walks (19), and (home runs (5) all transforming into a .364 batting average for second on the team as well as hits (55).
Hamm as a rookie pitcher closed out the season leading in earned run average (3.02), opponent batting average (.218), strikeouts (107), and games started (24) to close out her first year in the circle.
Below is a full list of the All-MIAA recipients.
2018 All-MIAA Postseason Awards
Coach of the Year- Brenda Holaday, Washburn
Player of the Year- Carrie Abrams, Central Oklahoma
Pitcher of the Year-Megan Deiter, Washburn
Defensive Player of the Year- Shelby Uhl, Missouri Western
Freshman of the Year- Bri Francis, Washburn
2018 All-MIAA First Team
Pitcher- Megan Deiter, Washburn
Pitcher- Claire Miller, Southwest Baptist
Catcher-Kala Holder, Pittsburg State
First Base-Hannah Porter, Lindenwood
Second Base-Kaitlyn Weis, Northwest Missouri
Shortstop- Morgan Heard, Central Oklahoma
Third Base-Savannah Moore, Washburn
Outfield-Carrie Abrams, Central Oklahoma
Outfield-Abi Corbett, Missouri Southern
Outfield-Samantha Stallbaumer, Washburn
Designated Player-Jessica Schuler, Northeastern State
*Utility/Non-Pitcher-Taylor Dames, Central Missouri
*Utility/Non-Pitcher-Sara Breckbill, Fort Hays State
Utility/Pitcher-Stormee Galka, Lindenwood
*denotes tie in voting
2018 All-MIAA Second Team
Pitcher-Jayden Chestnut, Central Oklahoma
Pitcher-Rachel Smith, Northwest Missouri
Catcher-Bri Francis, Washburn
First Base-Danielle Sprinkle, Emporia State
Second Base-Annelise Rockley, Emporia State
Shortstop-Austine Pauley, Lindenwood
Third Base-JoBi Heath, Central Oklahoma
Outfield-Lauryn Deer, Central Missouri
Outfield-Shelby Uhl, Missouri Western
Outfield-Emilee Baker, Washburn
Designated Player-Karli Allen, Northwest Missouri
Utility/Non-Pitcher-Taylor Kirk, Washburn
Utility/Pitcher-Destiny Ojigoh, Emporia State
2018 All-MIAA Honorable Mention
Central Missouri- Alexa Bradley-Pitcher, Katie Giacone-Pitcher, Allie Dishinger-Catcher, Hailey Crabtree-First Base, Alexis Koop-Second Base, Kaitlyn Markin-Shortstop, Emily King-Third Base, Payton Summers-Designated Player
Central Oklahoma-Halley Randolph-Catcher, Carli Jones-First Base, Bailey Thompson-Outfield, Allie Eicher-Designated Player
Emporia State-Kenzie Garvin-Outfield
Fort Hays-Candace Bollig-Third Base, Grace Philop-Outfield, Bailey Boxberger-Designated Player
Lincoln-Jordan Lawson-Outfield
Lindenwood-Megan Clark-Second Base
Missouri Southern- Natalie Hamm-Pitcher, Erika Lutgen - First Base, Shelby Friend-Shortstop
Missouri Western-Kenzie Hilzer-Pitcher, Bekah Mueller-Catcher, Shellby Atwell-First Base
Nebraska Kearney -Sara Sempek-First Base, Cheyenne Hamilton-Third Base, Lex Ray-Outfield, Alexis Howe-Utility/Non-Pitcher, Meg Householder- Utility/Pitcher
Northeastern State - Gail Young-Pitcher, Kyla Ibarra-Catcher, Paige Gann-First Base, Kaleigh Hinkle-Second Base, Kelsey Harmon-Shortstop, Haley Acrey-Third Base, Jessica Boone-Outfield, Sierra Crick-Outfield
Northwest Missouri-Rebecca Maher-Shortstop, Erin Keeney-Third Base, Jaedra Moses-Outfield, Abbi Gilson-Utility/Non-Pitcher
Pittsburg State-Kristen Van Hoosen
Southwest Baptist-Megan Schellert-Second Base, Jaidyn Mawhinney
Washburn - Kelsee Henry-Pitcher, Alyssa Carney-Designated Player