Softball Players Receive AAC Honors

The Appalachian Athletic Conference honored members of the Brenau softball team at the tournament banquet at the Farmers' Market in Kingsport, Tenn. on Tuesday.

Faith Grooms received 2018 AAC Freshman of the Year and First-Team All-Conference honors by the conference coaches. The Commerce, Ga. native hit .378 in her inaugural season as a Golden Tiger, leading the squad in home runs (9), RBIs (39), slugging (.755) and stolen bases (17). Among conference leaders, the freshman was fifth in home runs, sixth in RBIs, second in slugging percentage and fourth in steals. Nationally, Grooms ranked in the top 15 in both triples (4) and total runs scored (50).

Autumn Conaway joined Grooms as a First-Team All-Conference selection for her outstanding 2018 campaign. The sophomore makes her second consecutive All-Conference team after being a 2017 SSAC All-Conference member as a freshman. The Guyton, Ga. native posted a .391 batting average- ranked ninth among conference batters-and drove in 30 runs.

Receiving Second-Team All-Conference honors was Kelsey Payne, who earned her third consecutive All-Conference nod. The Chattanooga, Tenn. senior was fifth in the AAC in batting average (.421), sixth in slugging percentage (.675) and second in doubles (19).

Freshman Caroline Mitchell is the team's Champions of Character honoree, which honors the player that is the best representative of the NAIA's Five Core Values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.

Conaway also joined teammates, Lexi Cash, Mason Garland, Shelton Kendrix, Tabitha Morrison, Sarah Peery, Jessica Rathje and Lauren Sanders as AAC All-Academic varsity selections. Honorees must maintain a minimum of a 3.25 GPA or higher and achieve sophomore status to receive this award.