EDMOND, Okla. – Seven members of the Missouri Western softball team were named All-MIAA as announced Wednesday morning.
Headlining the group for Missouri Western were first team selections Morgan Frost (OF) and Brea Blanton (DP). Named to the second team were Kaili Hinds (P) and Sydni Hawkins (2B). Honorable Mention selections included Gabi Carter (1B), Emma Hoffart (3B) and Cassidy Kelsheimer (C). All seven were first-time All-MIAA selections and the group of honorees included two freshmen in Blanton and Hawkins; two sophomores in Hinds and Hoffart; and three seniors.
FIRST TEAM ALL-MIAA
Morgan Frost, Outfield
Frost finished the regular season leading the team in batting average (.409), hits (63), doubles (21), slugging percentage (.675), on base percentage (.452) and was tied for the team lead with a 1.000 fielding percentage. She ranked fifth in the MIAA in batting average, eighth in slugging percentage, sixth in hits and second in doubles. Her 21 doubles are the second most by a Griffon in a single season, four shy of Missouri Western’s single season record.
Brea Blanton, Designated Player
Blanton didn’t figure into the starting lineup early in the season, but quickly showed she couldn’t be left off the field. The freshman finished second on the team with a .383 batting average, but spent most of the season batting over .400. After being inserted as a starter on Feb. 23, Blanton’s season ending batting average was the lowest it ever dipped, getting at least one hit in all but six of her 35 starts. Blanton finished the regular season with six home runs and 34 RBIs.
SECOND TEAM ALL-MIAA
Kaili Hinds, Pitcher
The most consistent pitcher in the Griffons three-woman rotation, Hinds led the Griffon staff through the regular season with 15 wins, a 2.85 ERA, 11 complete games and 81 strikeouts. Hinds hasn’t lost a decision since March 8, taking 11-straight winning decisions.
Sydni Hawkins, Second Base
After taking over the starting second base position on March 18, Hawkins added 114 points to her batting average, finishing with a .364 average. The freshman had a 15-game hitting streak snapped in the final week of the regular season, but went 2-for-2 with three RBIs in her final regular season game. Hawkins was charged with just two errors on the season and led all MIAA second basemen in batting average, doubles, stolen bases and fielding percentage.
HONORABLE MENTION ALL-MIAA
Gabi Carter, First Base
Carter didn’t miss a start in either of the last two seasons. She moved to first base after playing third last year and finished second on the team with seven home runs.
Emma Hoffart, Third Base
Carter’s move to first made room for Hoffart and third and she took over in her sophomore season, batting .358 with a team-high eight home runs and 40 RBIs. Playing the hot corner for practically every inning this season, Hoffart fielded at a .949 average.
Cassidy Kelsheimer, Catcher
In her only season as a Griffon after transferring from Wichita State, Kelsheimer did not miss a single inning behind the plate, handling the team’s unique four-pitcher staff. The 25 stolen bases against Kelsheimer were the fewest in the MIAA. She throughout the second most would-be base stealers in the association with 14 and her .641 stolen base against average was the second lowest in the MIAA.
The Griffons entered the MIAA Championships as the No. 2 seed, scheduled to play Pittsburg State at 6:30 p.m. in Edmond, Oklahoma.
— MWSU Athletics —