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
Pitcher	Shannon Buchanan, CU	Outfielder	Kris Neal, CU
Catcher	Lindsey Stigler, CU	Outfielder	Tamiera Sanchez, SAU
First Base	Beth Walker	Outfielder	Maggie Smith, FSU
Second Base	Haley Cooper, CU	Designated Player	Samantha Gibbs, WSSU
Third Base	Brittany Parson	Utility Player	Marley Parker, SAU
Short Stop	Jacqueline Pickering, BSU

2018 All-CIAA Second Team
Pitcher	MaKayla August, SAU	Short Stop	Haley Sessoms, SAU
Catcher	Shi-Cara Goins, FSU	Outfielder	Jasmine Holloman, WSSU
First Base	Jasmine Rios, SAU	Outfielder	Donya Salman, CU
Second Base	Brittany Kline, Shaw	Outfielder	Shenice Harrison, JCSU
Third Base	Akera McPhaul, SAU	Utility Player	Erica Davis, WSSU

2018 CIAA All-Rookie Team
Beth Walker, CU	First Baseman	Annie Brenner, VUU	Outfielder
Nyla Howard, WSSU	Outfielder	Daijja Williams, JCSU	Pitcher/Outfielder
Mechelle Moss, SAU	Pitcher/Utility	Tatyana Mars, JCSU	Pitcher/Utility
Mackenzie Taggart, CU	Outfielder	Destiny Middleton, WSSU	Outfielder
Audrenik Howard, VUU	Outfielder

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.