(CLEVELAND) – For the second straight year, sophomore Karley Hobbs, a member of the No. 11 Truett McConnell University softball team, was named Appalachian Athletic Conference pitcher of the year and Jenni Shepard was named coach of the year. Briley Lawson was named co-freshman of the year while junior Jaden Morrison earned a spot on the All-Conference second team.
Hobbs led the AAC through the regular season with 27 wins (which also ranks first in the nation), with an ERA of .80 and with an opponent batting average of .179. The two-time pitcher of the year went perfect from the mound (27-0) with the addition of three saves. Through 113.1 AAC innings pitched, Hobbs struck out 70 and allowed 73 hits with just 13 earned runs.
Lawson, the freshman catcher, led the team in her debut as a Lady Bears with seven homeruns, all of which were hit in conference games. Lawson recorded an AAC batting average of .381 and a slugging percentage of .679 with 32 hits, four doubles, 27 RBI’s and 13 runs scored. In addition, Lawson had four 3RBI conference games.
Morrison, the junior shortstop, led her team with an overall batting average of .449 and AAC average of .477. Through 26 AAC games, Morrison recorded 31 hits, one double, nine RBI’s and 16 runs scored. Morrison also tallied 13 stolen bases (AAC), 21 total, to now have 59 career stolen bases.
Moreover, junior Macey Dunaway was named to the AAC Champions of Character Team and seven Lady Bears earned a spot on the All-Academic team; Dunaway, Bethany Hyde, Kaitlynn Johnson, Kathrine Kozlowski, Brie Levy, Morrison and Sara Sullivan.
The No. 1-seeded Lady Bears (41-7, 24-2 AAC) faced No. 8 Bryan College Wednesday in the opening round of the AAC Tournament. The Lady Bears dominated with a mercy rule win, 14-2.
