ST. JOSEPH – After the program’s second MIAA Championship, nine members of the Missouri Western Softball team were named All-MIAA, Katie Klosterman was named MIAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year and head coach Jen Bagley Trotter was named MIAA Coach of the Year. The nine selections were the most for the program since a record, 11, in 2012, and are the second most ever for the program.
COACH OF THE YEAR – Jen Bagley Trotter
Trotter claimed her fourth MIAA Coach of the Year honor after leading the program to a 39-11 overall record and a 23-3 mark in MIAA play. The 23 conference wins were the most ever for the program. This season marked the 10th time Trotter has led the Griffons to a 30-win season. On Feb. 28, Trotter picked up her 500th career victory, all with Missouri Western. She’s now 529-307 in 15 seasons as head coach at Missouri Western.
CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR & FIRST TEAM ALL-MIAA – Katie Klosterman (Third Base)
Klosterman was named first team All-MIAA for the first time in her career after finishing the regular season with a .364 batting average – second on the team – and a .972 fielding percentage at third base. The junior committed just three errors at the hot corner and recorded 27 putouts and 78 assists. Klosterman was second on the team with 10 home runs and 13 doubles. She was one of three Griffons named MIAA Hitter of the Week this season and was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection in both 2015 and 2014.
FIRST TEAM ALL-MIAA – Morgan Rathmann (Outfield)
Rathmann earned her third All-MIAA honor and first, first team selection. The junior outfielder led the team through the regular season with a .399 batting average. She led the MIAA and ranks third nationally with nine triples, which tied a career-high. Her 21 career triples are most in MWSU history. Rathmann also ranked sixth in the MIAA with 23 stolen bases and currently ranks third all-time at MWSU with 74 stolen bases.
SECOND TEAM ALL-MIAA – Janie Smith (Pitcher) and Taylor Hamilton (Designated Player)
Smith was named to the second team for the second straight year, her third All-MIAA selection overall. The senior pitcher led the team with 20 wins, 188.2 innings and 128 strikeouts. Her 20 wins were a career-high and were tied for second most in the MIAA this season. Smith finished the regular season with seven complete game shutouts.
Hamilton broke out in a big way, leading her team with 48 RBIs. The Cameron native batted .348 and slugged .594 with 11 doubles and nine home runs. She was one of three Griffons named MIAA Hitter of the Week after hitting six home runs over a crucial stretch of six MIAA games.
HONORABLE MENTION ALL-MIAA – Shelbie Atwell (Shortstop), Kailey Green (First Base), Shyanne Saladino (Pitcher), Paige Shifflett (Second Base) and Sydney Washington (Outfield)
Atwell picked up her first All-MIAA honor after batting .337 for the Griffons. The sophomore hit 12 doubles a triple and two home runs. Both of Atwell’s home runs were grand slams, including one in her first at bat of the season. Atwell broke an MWSU record with six RBIs in a game against Central Missouri this season that was later tied by Taylor Hamilton.
Green also picked up her first All-MIAA honor. The junior led Missouri Western with 14 home runs and batted .348. Her 14 home runs so far this season are tied for fourth most in MWSU history. Green was second on the team with 40 RBIs and drew a team-high 25 walks.
Saladino was also a first time All-MIAA selection. The senior led the team with a 2.13 ERA. She struck out 89 batters and held opponents to a .239 average. Saladino went 19-3 in 22 appearances, pitching 154.1 innings.
Shifflett picked up her second All-MIAA honor in her second season with the Griffons. The sophomore was a second team designated player in 2015. She transitioned well to second base this year, batting .317 with 27 RBIs, a team-high 16 doubles and five home runs. She also fielded at a .931 clip in her first season at second base.
Washington returned to the All-MIAA team after being named honorable mention as a freshman. The junior was the most recent Griffon named MIAA Hitter of the Week, batting .313 on the year with 35 RBIs, eight home runs and five doubles.
— MWSU Athletics —