Monday, April 30, 2018

Jacqueline Pickering Selected to All-CIAA Softball First Team


Salem, VA (April 30, 2018) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), along with its Softball Coaches & Sports Information Directors Association, announces the 2018 All-Conference Teams, All-Rookie Team, Player of the Year, Pitcher of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year.
Kris Neal, a senior outfielder from Chowan University, has been named CIAA Softball Player of the Year. The Clayton, NC native hit .394 on the season with a league-leading 50 hits. She swiped the third most bags in the league with 17. Neal was named First Team All-CIAA last season, Second Team in 2016, and an All-Rookie selection in 2015.
Shannon Buchanan, a sophomore from Chowan, earns CIAA Softball Pitcher of the Year. Buchanan led the league with 13 wins on the season, including an 8-0 record in CIAA action. She averages 7.8 strikeouts per contest and limits opponents to a 1.91 earned run average.
The Pasadena, MD native, Beth Walker, crushed the ball and her competition on her way to being named CIAA Rookie of the Year. Walker was also named All-CIAA First Team and an All-Rookie selection.  Walker hit .382 on the year while being tied for the most home runs in the league with 10.  The freshman led the Hawks in home runs and runs batted in while being tied for third in RBI with 40.
Head coach Brian DeWitt earns his second CIAA Coach of the Year honor and first since the 2016 season.  DeWitt led the team to a 27-14 overall record and an unblemished 16-0 CIAA record including the program's fourth straight CIAA Northern Division Title.
The Trojans of Virginia State University are recognized for their commitment on the field and in the classroom. Marking a cumulative 3.49 GPA, the team earns this softball season's Highest GPA Award.


2018 All-CIAA First Team
PitcherShannon Buchanan, CUOutfielderKris Neal, CU
CatcherLindsey Stigler, CUOutfielderTamiera Sanchez, SAU
First BaseBeth WalkerOutfielderMaggie Smith, FSU
Second BaseHaley Cooper, CUDesignated PlayerSamantha Gibbs, WSSU
Third BaseBrittany ParsonUtility PlayerMarley Parker, SAU
Short StopJacqueline Pickering, BSU

2018 All-CIAA Second Team
PitcherMaKayla August, SAUShort StopHaley Sessoms, SAU
CatcherShi-Cara Goins, FSUOutfielderJasmine Holloman, WSSU
First BaseJasmine Rios, SAUOutfielderDonya Salman, CU
Second BaseBrittany Kline, ShawOutfielderShenice Harrison, JCSU
Third BaseAkera McPhaul, SAUUtility PlayerErica Davis, WSSU

2018 CIAA All-Rookie Team
Beth Walker, CUFirst BasemanAnnie Brenner, VUU Outfielder
Nyla Howard, WSSUOutfielderDaijja Williams, JCSUPitcher/Outfielder
Mechelle Moss, SAUPitcher/UtilityTatyana Mars, JCSUPitcher/Utility
Mackenzie Taggart, CUOutfielder Destiny Middleton, WSSUOutfielder
Audrenik Howard, VUUOutfielder 

The CIAA Softball Championship is set to open on Monday, April 30th at 12:00 p.m. The event, held at Moyer Park in Salem, Virginia, is free and open to the public. For more information about CIAA softball, visit www.theciaa.com

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