WALESKA, Ga.— The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) announced its annual softball awards Tuesday evening, and a trio of Cavaliers took home major recognition. Both
Amayia Hernandez and
Dayton Kell appeared on the All-AAC First Team, while
Abigail Wyatt landed AAC Freshman of the Year status.
Hernandez proved to be one of the Cavs' top bats all season. The Sterling, Ill. native slashed .390/.488/.721 through 48 games, all of which were a team-best among qualified hitters. Hernandez finished second in the AAC in home runs (10), as well as third in the league with 47 RBIs and 48 runs scored. Overall, the outfielder tallied 22 extra-base hits while drawing as many or more walks (16) and hit-by-pitches (14) as strikeouts (14). Hernandez also owned a .980 fielding percentage with 94 putouts and four assists.
Like Hernandez, Kell also delivered a stellar season that resulted in being named First Team All-AAC. A native of Omaha, Neb., Kell slashed .333/.391/.368 across her 45 appearances. The shortstop notched 18 RBIs and 18 runs scored while leading the squad with 103 defensive assists.
Wyatt secured the conference's Freshman of the Year nod as her team's bona fide leadoff hitter. Starting in 45 contests, Wyatt led the Cavaliers with 56 hits. She also ranked second on the team in batting average (.389), on-base percentage (.447) and runs scored (44). The Old Fort, N.C. native also picked up six doubles and 18 RBIs while slashing .389/.447/.431. Defensively, Wyatt had 66 putouts, three assists and a .986 fielding percentage in the outfield.
Along with the on-field honors, 20 Montreat softball players received AAC All-Academic Team recognition.
Lauryn Bishop,
Rebecca Carson,
Hollie Cunningham,
Haley Fethke,
Mykenzie Flores,
Sarah Forbes,
Elizabeth Gergen,
Hannah Henderson,
Alanna Hernandez,
Amayia Hernandez, Kell,
Peyton Lindley,
Amariya Miller,
Maddox Pleasants,
Makenzie Ritchie,
Jaidyn Stephens,
Whitney Tannehill,
Kara Thomas,
Carter Thornton and
Deanna Waddell met the necessary requirements to be named to the AAC All-Academic Team. Thornton was also selected to represent the Cavs on the AAC Champions of Character Team.
To qualify for the AAC All-Academic Team, a student-athlete must hold at least sophomore academic status and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher. Each institution in the league also received one spot on the AAC Champions of Character Team, and the honorees were chosen by each program's head coach.
For a complete list of this year's AAC softball awards, click
here.
After winning a WinWon AAC Softball Tournament elimination game earlier today, Montreat takes on eighth-seeded Columbia International University in another elimination contest tomorrow morning. First pitch is set for 11 a.m. at Brickyard Park in Kingsport, Tenn.
