Six Golden Flashes Earn MAC Softball Postseason Honors
5/20/2021 2:00:00 PM | Softball
CLEVELAND — The Kent State softball program had six student-athletes recognized, as the Mid-American Conference announced its 2021 postseason awards on Thursday (May 20).
Five Golden Flashes earned All-MAC Second Team honors and one was named to the MAC All-Defensive Team. Senior Kennadie Goth was named All-MAC Second Team for the second time during her career, and was joined by freshman Jessica LeBeau, senior Kaitlyn Miller, junior Megan Turner and junior Brooklyn Whitt. Additionally, senior Carlee Selle was named to the All-Defensive Team.
Goth batted .379 against conference pitching and was tied for fifth with 47 hits during league play. Overall, she had 61 hits and a .389 batting average, which are the eighth and ninth single-season marks, respectively, in program history. Goth hit .372 for her four-year career, which is the second-best average all-time at Kent State.
LeBeau made an immediate impact during her first collegiate season and was tied for the MAC lead with 17 complete games against league foes while ranking second in strikeouts (149), shutouts (4) and saves (3). A two-time MAC Pitcher of the Week honoree, she was third in wins (12), strikeouts per seven innings (7.49) and opponent batting average (.239) and led the Flashes with a 2.61 ERA.
Miller led Kent State with a .392 batting average and four stolen bases during MAC play and was second on the team in runs (26) and on-base percentage (.433). The senior saw action at both second base and the designated player positions.
Turner finished fourth in the conference with 38 RBIs against MAC opponents. She led the Flashes' offense with eight home runs and a .609 slugging percentage while hitting .348 during league play. Turner provided one of the most exciting moments of the season with a walk-off grand slam in the second game of a doubleheader against Toledo on March 20.
Whitt's team-high 48 hits in MAC-only games were tied for the second-most in the conference. She also led Kent State with 30 runs and reached base in a team-best 27 consecutive games. Whitt had seven doubles and 18 RBIs against MAC pitching.
Selle was a rock behind the plate for the past four seasons. As a senior, she ranked third in the league in putouts (303) and runners caught stealing (7) during the conference season while not allowing any passed balls.
Be sure to follow Kent State Softball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
Player of the Year: Dayna Denner, Toledo
Pitcher of the Year: Courtney Vierstra, Miami
Freshman Player of the Year: Karli Spaid, Miami
Freshman Pitcher of the Year: Payton Gottshall, Bowling Green
Coach of the Year: Kirin Kumar, Miami
Nan Harvey Award Winner: Katie Keller, Northern Illinois
All-MAC First Team
Stacy Payton, Catcher, Ball State*
Haley Dominique, Outfield, Ball State*
Faith Hensley, Outfield, Ball State
Payton Gottshall, Pitcher, Bowling Green
Madi McCoy, Shortstop, Bowling Green
Anna Aguon, Outfield, Buffalo
Alexis Lucyshyn, Util-P, Buffalo
Holly Blaska, First Base, Miami
Courtney Vierstra, Pitcher, Miami
Karli Spaid, Second Base, Miami
Allie Cummins, Util-F, Miami
Katie Keller, Catcher, Northern Illinois
Katie Yun, Shortstop, Ohio*Â
Dayna Denner, Third Base, Toledo
Mackenzie Swinehart, Outfield, Western Michigan
All-MAC Second Team
Kayla Lissy, Shortstop, Ball State
Deborah Jones, Pitcher, Ball State
Alexis Matheney, Outfield, Buffalo
Abbey Tolmie, Outfield, Central Michigan*
Megan Turner, First Base, Kent State
Brooklyn Whitt, Outfield, Kent State
Jessica LeBeau, Pitcher, Kent State
Kennadie Goth, Outfield, Kent State
Kaitlyn Miller, Util-F, Kent State
Riley Coyne, Catcher, Miami
Brianna Pratt, Pitcher, Miami
Mackenzie Moore, Third Base, Miami
Adriana Barlow, Shortstop, Miami*
Mikenzie Vaughn, Second Base, Ohio
Allie Englant, Outfield, Ohio*
Sydney Stefanick, Utility-Pitcher, Western Michigan
*At Large Selection
MAC All-Defensive Team
Kennedy Wynn, Ball State
Greta L'Esperance, Bowling Green
Emily Bracamonte, Central Michigan
Carlee Selle, Kent State
Morgan Lott, Miami
Holly Blaska, Miami
Katie Keller, NIU
Caroline Spacek, Ohio
Leah Munson, Toledo
