Tilton and Grimm Named to MAC All-Tournament Team
5/14/2016 8:55:00 PM | Softball
AKRON, Ohio — Kent State infielders Shelbi Tilton and Maddy Grimm were named to the All-Tournament Team for the 2016 Mid-American Conference Softball Championship, the conference announced following the championship game on Saturday (May 14). This is the first time the Golden Flashes have had multiple players honored since 2010.
"I am thrilled that Shelbi and Maddy were recognized for their outstanding performances in this week's tournament," said Kent State interim head coach Eric Oakley.
In her first healthy appearance at the MAC Softball Championship since her freshman season, Tilton went 6-for-12 at the plate with a double and two RBIs. She was one of two players in the tournament with three multiple-hit games and was second in hits and third in batting average. After Akron cut Kent State's lead to 5-3 in Friday's elimination game, Tilton delivered a clutch two-run single up the middle with the bases loaded to bring in the eventual winning run in a 13-6 victory.
"Shelbi's performance this week highlighted her importance to this program throughout her career," said Oakley. "She has been consistent at the plate and at first base all four years. She saved her best season for her senior year, and has been a leader both on and off the field. I am proud of her and what she has accomplished. Shelbi has left her mark on this program and will be missed."
The senior from Massillon, Ohio finished with career-bests of 57 games played, 55 hits, 10 doubles, 27 RBIs and a .311 batting average. Her 177 at-bats are tied for the third-most on Kent State's single-season list.
Grimm collected four hits, three runs and three RBIs on the week. She brought home the winning run with a double in the first inning of Wednesday's tournament opener vs. Central Michigan. Against Akron on Friday, Grimm helped the Flashes strike in the first inning once again with a two-out single and then came around to score on a double. In her next at-bat, she crushed a two-run homer to make it a 3-0 game. She was intentionally walked in her next trip to the plate and came around to score once again.
"Maddy's offensive performance was critical in our wins this week, but her defense is where she truly led," Oakley said. "Both wins were sealed by two diving catches she made on the left side of the field. She was stellar and handled everything that came her way."
The junior from Stahlstown, Pa. earned All-MAC First Team honors for the second consecutive season and set single-season program records for runs scored (51) and total bases (124), which broke her own mark of 121 last year. Grimm hit 18 home runs, which is one short of her own record, and drew 35 walks, which is one short of the record held by Jessica Blanton.
Kent State repeated as MAC regular season champions and finished the season with a 37-22 record to achieve the fourth-winningest season in program history.
