Whitmore Earns Second Team Selection, Despines on All-Freshman Team as MAC Announces Postseason Softball Awards
5/10/2023 11:00:00 AM | Softball
CLEVELAND — Kent State redshirt senior Alexandria Whitmore and freshman Bri Despines were among the student-athletes recognized on Wednesday as the the Mid-American Conference announced its 2023 postseason softball awards.
Whitmore earned a spot on the All-MAC Second Team and Despines was voted to the All-Freshman Team.
Against conference pitching, Whitmore batted .349 and led the Golden Flashes with 30 hits, three triples and five stolen bases. The third baseman collected a hit in each of the first 12 MAC contests as part of a 15-game hitting streak.
Despines made 48 starts and was one of only two Kent State players to appear in all 49 games. She led the team in several offensive categories during her freshman campaign, including batting average (.309), runs scored (31), doubles (9), walks (31) and on-base percentage (.430). Despines also totaled four home runs, 24 RBIs and six stolen bases.
Be sure to follow Kent State Softball on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates about the squad.
Player of the Year: Jenna Golembiewski, Miami
Pitcher of the Year: Brianna Pratt, Miami
Freshman Player of the Year: Kiley Conner, Northern Illinois
Freshman Pitcher of the Year: Skipp Miller, Ohio
Coach of the Year: Jenna Hall, Ohio
Nan Harvey Award Winner: Kelly Walinski, Northern Illinois
All-MAC First Team
Brooke Sivek, Second Base, Akron
McKayla Timmons, Catcher, Ball State
Haley Wynn, Third Base, Ball State*
Grace Lehto, Pitcher, Central Michigan*
Riley Coyne, Catcher, Miami*
Allie Cummins, Outfield, Miami
Jenna Golembiewski, Outfield, Miami
Brianna Pratt, Pitcher, Miami
Karli Spaid, Third Base, Miami
Kelly Walinski, Shortstop, Northern Illinois
Danielle Stewart, U-Pitch, Northern Illinois
Yasmine Logan, Outfield, Ohio
Skipp Miller, Pitcher, Ohio
Annalia Paoli, U-Field, Ohio
Riley Mohr, First Base, Toledo
All-MAC Second Team
Amaia Daniel, Shortstop, Ball State
McKenna Mulholland, U-Field, Ball State
Angelina Russo, Pitcher, Ball State
Alexis Lucyshyn, U-Pitch, Buffalo
Kelsey Alexander, Outfield, Central Michigan
Samantha Mills, Catcher, Central Michigan
Abbey Tolmie, Outfield, Central Michigan*
Michaleigh Vallimont, Outfield, Central Michigan
Alexandria Whitmore, Infield, Kent State*
Holly Blaska, First Base, Miami
Kiley Conner, Outfield, Northern Illinois
Alexis Dawe, Infield, Ohio*
Tori O'Brien, Second Base, Ohio
Jenna Kroll, Third Base, Toledo
Rissa Bajusz, Pitcher, Western Michigan
*At Large Selection
MAC All-Freshman Team
Haley Croyle, Akron
Meagan Lee, Akron
Brooke Sivek, Akron
Bridie Murphy, Ball State
McKenna Mulholland, Ball State
Bri Despines, Kent State
Kiley Conner, Northern Illinois
Danielle Stewart, Northern Illinois
Belle Hummel, Ohio
Skipp Miller, Ohio
