Softball Earns Multiple AAC Awards

WALESKA, Ga.- A plethora of players from the softball team were named winners of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) season awards. The awards, sponsored by WinWon, were the All-Conference Teams, the Champions of Character Team, and the All-Academic Team.

Bailee Phillips and Mackenzie Baldwin were named to the All-AAC First Team while Macy Chastain was named to the All-AAC Second Team. 

Baldwin earned the nod at the third base position after a career year has seen her hit .344 on the season. The senior has a career-high 22 RBIs through 32 games this season and has hit seven doubles, two triples, and two home runs. 

Phillips nabbed one of the two pitcher spots on the All-Conference Team. In the conference, Phillips ranked second in earned run average (1.73) and wins (16), and third in strikeouts (115). In 22 appearances, Phillips has pitched 125.2 innings and only surrendered 41 runs (31 earned). As a hitter, Phillips had 36 hits, 10 of which have fallen for a double and seven that have flown out of the field of play for a home run. The senior leads the team with 34 RBIs and is tied for the team lead with a .360 batting average. 

Chastain took one of the outfield spots on the second team. The leadoff hitter for the Lady Bulldogs has 36 hits in 34 games, batting .343 during the season. The sophomore has 10 RBIs and has scored the fifth-most runs in the conference at 41. Chastain has 16 stolen bases on the season, tied for 10th in the AAC. 

Baldwin was also chosen aas the team's representative on the AAC Champions of Character Team. To be named to the Champions of Character Team, a player must exhibit the NAIA's Five Core Values of Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Sportsmanship, and Servant Leadership.

Eleven players were named to the All-Academic Team. To be selected to the All-Academic Team, a student-athlete must be a sophomore in academic standing and maintain a 3.25 grade-point average. Baldwin, Gracie Calton, Rachel Carpenter, Chastain, Brooke Freeman, Isabella Jenkins, Tatum Massengale, Taylor Penning, Ali Richards, Courtney Sneed, and Courtney Wilson all earned a spot on the team.