Softball Players Receive SSAC Postseason Honors
The SSAC regular season champion Brenau softball team was well-represented in the 2017 Southern States Athletic Conference Softball awards for their performances on and off the field, the conference announced on Thursday.
Kathleen Daniel topped the list of award winners by capturing three of the major awards-the SSAC Pitcher of the Year, Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors. The Locust Grove, Ga. native impressed in her inaugural season as she led the SSAC in earned run average (0.50), opponent's batting average (.122), strikeouts (501) and wins (38). She posted an overall record of
Fellow freshman Autumn Conaway was also rewarded for her standout year by being voted as a First-Team All-Conference and All-Freshman team member. Conaway was second in the SSAC in batting average (.423), third in slugging percentage (.590), hits (66), total bases (92) and tied for third in doubles- which were all tops among SSAC freshmen. She also posted a .960 fielding percentage to earn a Gold Glove. She was further recognized as the Brenau recipient of the Musco Lighting Champions of Character award. Champions of Character award winners must best represent the NAIA's Five Core Values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.
Mackenzie Oliver Mullis was also honored as a First-Team player for her outstanding final season. The Carnesville, Ga. senior led the SSAC in stolen bases (38) and runs scored (45) and was third in batting average (.415).
Also, junior Kelsey Payne was chosen as a First-Team All-Conference selection for her strong season. The Chattanooga, Tenn. native was third among SSAC leaders in RBIs (35), tied for third in home runs (5), fourth in total bases (89) and fifth in slugging percentage (.574). She also earned a Gold Glove nomination for her play in the outfield.
Freshman Shelton Kendrix was also honored as both a Second-Team All-Conference and All-Freshman team member. The Jefferson, Ga. product was tied for sixth in home runs (4), tied for eighth in doubles (12) and eighth in slugging (.514) in the SSAC.
Savannah Moore, along with Conaway and Payne, was among SSAC Gold Glove honorees for outstanding defensive play. The junior catcher was tops in the conference with a 1.000 fielding percentage and also led the SSAC in chances and putouts.
Head coach Devon Thomas was awarded the 2017 SSAC Coach of the Year by his fellow conference coaches. In his 15th season at the helm of the Golden Tigers, Thomas led his squad to an unprecedented 26-0 conference slate and a #2 national ranking.
Additionally, Mullis joined juniors Mason Garland, Sarah Peery and Lauren Sanders, and sophomores Brooke Kimbrell, Caty McCauley and Kirstin Ray on the SSAC All-Academic team. Honorees must maintain a minimum 3.25 grade point average and have four semesters in college.
The Golden Tigers now look ahead to postseason play as the team prepares for the 2017 SSAC Conference tournament in Decatur, Alabama.
Live video and stats of the tournament can be found here and here.