Softball Receives SSAC Postseason Honors
The Brenau softball team was well represented as the 2016 Southern States Athletic Conference Softball Awards were announced on Wednesday in Montgomery, Alabama.
Kelsey Payne and Elizabeth Schneider were voted as First-Team All-Conference team members by the conference coaches. Payne had a strong offensive season for the Golden Tigers, ranking among league leaders in hits (2nd, 103), batting average (4th, .391), RBIs (6th, 34), home runs (7th, 8th) and a host of other stats.
Schneider, a four-time All-Conference selection, was 24th in batting average (.346), 9th in doubles (11), 13th in hits (54) and 15th in RBIs (29).
Two Golden Tigers were also selected as Second-Team All-Conference performers as freshman Jessica Rathje and sophomore Mason Garland both received their first conference honors.
Rathje had a strong inaugural season on the mound for the Golden Tigers. The Glencoe, Alabama native ranked 15th in ERA (2.31), 3rd in innings pitched (176), 3rd in wins (20) and 3rd in strikeouts (114). Rathje was also honored as a member of the SSAC All-Freshman team.
Garland was ranked 31st in batting average (.326), 33rd in hits (42) and 37th in hits per game. Garland, along with teammate Lexi Cash, also earned Gold Glove award for their defensive prowess. Garland, a third baseman, had a .992 fielding percentage, while Cash, a shortstop, notched a .986 fielding percentage in 2016.
Brenau also earned seven SSAC All-Academic team selections for their outstanding performance in the classroom. Schneider and Garland joined Landon Farrow, Savannah Moore, Sarah Peery, Lauren Sanders and Megan Wolinsky as part of the team. Selections must maintain a cumulative 3.25 GPA and have attended at least four semesters of college.
Sanders was also chosen as the Champions of Characters selection for the Golden Tigers. Team members are noted as best representing the NAIA Five Core Values of Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship and Servant Leadership.