Softball Places Three on All-MAC First Team

AKRON, Ohio - - Three members of the Ball State softball team were honored Tuesday (May 8) when the Mid-American Conference announced its annual postseason awards as voted on by the league's 12 head coaches.

For the second straight season, senior second baseman Maddy Labrador was named to the All-MAC First Team. She was joined on the squad by a pair of first-time honorees in junior pitcher Aeshia Miles and sophomore outfielder Haley Dominique.

"Maddy, Aeshia and Haley have been solid contributors for us throughout the season," head coach Megan Ciolli Bartlett said. "It's a well-deserved honor for each of them."

Since the 2009 season, Ball State has placed more players on the All-MAC First Team than any other league school. The Cardinals have 26 honorees during the span, with Northern Illinois in second at 18.

Labrador earned All-MAC First Team honors for the second time in her career after ranking ninth in MAC competition with a .397 batting average. She was fourth in league competition with a .794 slugging percentage, thanks in part to her seven doubles and six home runs. Labrador, who reach base safely in all 20 MAC games she played, also ranked second in RBI (25), seventh in on base percentage (.481) and 12th in runs scored (17) among all league players.

Miles, who earned All-MAC accolades for the first time in her career, picked up nine of Ball State's 16 league wins in the circle to rank third among MAC pitchers. She finished league play with the third-highest strikeout total in the conference, at 74, while her 1.89 ERA and .246 opponents' batting average were both seventh.She also earned a pair of complete game shutouts in MAC play, while combining with Ball State sophomore closer Alyssa Rothwell for two more.

Dominique, who was named to the MAC All-Freshman Team last season, claims All-MAC First Team honors for the first time in her career after ranking eighth in league play with a .397 batting average, slightly ahead of Labrador. Her eight MAC doubles were second in the conference, while her team-leading .511 on base percentage was fourth. Dominique also led the Ball State offense with 19 runs scored in MAC competition, while reaching base safely in 22 of the team's 23 conference games.

The Ball State softball team opens its quest for the program's fourth MAC Tournament title Wednesday, when it battles Northern Illinois at 3:30 p.m. at Firestone Stadium in Akron, Ohio.

For the most up-to-date news on Ball State softball, follow the team on Twitter: @BallStateSB, @CoachCBartlett & @BallStateSports / Instagram: ballstatesb / Facebook: BallStateSB.

Player of the Year: Holly Speers, Kent State
Pitcher of the Year: Danielle Stiene, Ohio
Freshman of the Year: Bailey Curry, Toledo
Coach of the Year: Kristen Butler, Toledo
Nan Harvey Award: Lauren Holdsworth, Eastern Michigan

All-MAC First Team
Danielle Stiene, Ohio, P
Kailey Minarchick, Toledo, P
Maison Kalina, Central Michigan, C
Mikayla Cooper, Ohio, 1B
Maddy Labrador, Ball State, 2B
Bailey Brownfield, Kent State, 3B
Holly Speers, Kent State, SS
Sam Coffel, Western Michigan, OF
Anna Aguon, Buffalo, OF
Haley Dominique, Ball State, OF
Bailey Curry, Toledo, UTL
Sydney Stefanick, Western Michigan, UTL/P
Aeshia Miles, Ball State, P
Alex Day, Ohio, 3B
Erika Underwood, Central Michigan, 1B

All-MAC Second Team
Jordan Kurth, Western Michigan, P
Madi Huck, Kent State, P
Laine Simmons, Bowling Green, C
Sam Schmidt, Northern Illinois, 1B
Taylor Saxton, Ohio, 2B
Amanda Akles, Eastern Michigan, 3B
Sydney Jascoe, Akron, SS
Kennadie Goth, Kent State, OF
Ashley Rausch, Toledo, OF
Maria Cegledy, Kent State, OF
Morgan Geno, Ohio, UTL
Brenna Brownfield, Kent State, UTL-P
Jenny Van Geertry, Northern Illinois, OF
Jenelle Martinez, Buffalo, 2B
Cassie Gillespie, Akron, 1B

All-Freshman Team
Bailey Curry, Toledo
Sam Coffel, Western Michigan
Anna Aguon, Buffalo
Kennadie Goth, Kent State
Shaidan Knapp, Central Michigan
Ashton Slone, Miami
Courtney Vierstra, Miami
Kylie Norwood, Toledo
Kaitlyn Miller, Kent State
Katie Yun, Ohio

Players Mentioned

Haley Dominique

Maddy Labrador

Aeshia Miles

Alyssa Rothwell

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