KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Washburn Ichabod softball team had three players honored in five categories as the MIAA announced its postseason awards today prior to the start of the conference tournament at the Envista Softball Complex at Lake Shawnee in Topeka. The Ichabods had two MIAA Gold Glove winners as well as a first-team, a second-team and an honorable mention all-MIAA pick this season. The Ichabods will open the MIAA tournament on Wednesday at 3 p.m. as the No. 5 seed when they will face No. 4 seed Central Missouri.
Junior pitcher Jaycee Ginter earned first-team all-MIAA honors in the circle after earning first-team all-MIAA honors as a freshman and sophomore at a pitcher/utility player. Ginter leads the MIAA in victories with 24 and is second in the league with a 1.68 ERA. Her 244 strikeouts are first in the league as are her games started (28), complete games (20) and innings pitched (203 2/3).
Junior third basemen Marrit Mead was a second-team all-MIAA selection this season. She is third in the MIAA in hitting with a .409 batting average and her 67 hits is second this season. She is a perfect 27 of 27 in stolen base attempts. Mead is also second in the MIAA in runs scored with 50, seventh in doubles with 14 and seventh in on-base percentage at .478. Mead was a first-team all-MIAA pick her freshman and sophomore seasons as an Ichabod.
Senior second basemen Hadley Kerschen earned honorable mention all-MIAA honors after batting .352 this season starting all 50 games. She is second on the team with 56 hits, which is 14th in the MIAA this season. During the 26-game MIAA schedule, she hit a team-leading .367. Kerschen was an honorable mention all-MIAA selection her sophomore and junior seasons at both shortstop and second base.
Washburn also had two Gold Glove team members with Ginter in the circle and Mead at third base. Mead committed only one error at third base in 76 chances for a .987 fielding percentage and was part of five double plays this season to repeat as a Gold Glove selection for the second season in a row. Ginter did not commit an error this season adding 27 assists.
2023 MIAA Softball Postseason Awards
Players of the Year – Sydni Hawkins – Missouri Western, Sr.
Defense Player of the Year – Gabby Schulz – Pittsburg State, Jr.
Pitcher of the Year – Sara Llamas-Howell – Rogers State, Jr.
Freshman of the Year – Emily Deramus – Central Oklahoma
Coach of the Year – Cody White – Central Oklahoma
2023 All-MIAA Softball Teams
First Team
Pitcher: Sara Llamas-Howell – Rogers State, Jr.
Pitcher: Jaycee Ginter – Washburn, Jr.
Catcher: Callie Yellin – Rogers State, Jr.
First Base: Paxtyn Hayes – Pittsburg State, Jr.
Second Base: Sydni Hawkins – Missouri Western, Sr.
Shortstop: Emily Deramus – Central Oklahoma, Fr.
Third Base: Shayla Harper – Central Oklahoma, Sr.
Outfield: Ashlyn Cook – Central Missouri, Gr.
Outfield: Jacee Minter – Central Oklahoma, Jr.
Outfield: Yazmin Vargas – Missouri Southern, Jr.
Designated Player: Chloe Bohuslaicky – Northeastern State, Jr.
Utility/Pitcher: Savannah Evans – Northeastern State, Jr.
Utility/Non-Pitcher: Tatum Long – Central Oklahoma, Jr.
Second Team
Pitcher: Sam Pederson – Missouri Western, Sr.
Pitcher: Jordyn Pipkin – Central Oklahoma, So.
Catcher: Amelya Huggins – Central Oklahoma, Sr.
First Base: Bridgette Morales – Rogers State, So.
Second Base: Leighton Withers – Missouri Southern, Sr.
Shortstop: Abbey Fischer – Central Missouri, Sr.
Third Base: Marrit Mead – Washburn, Jr.
Outfield: Heather Arnett – Pittsburg State, Fr.
Outfield: Mackenzie Devine – Missouri Western, So.
Outfield: Peyton Shepard – Fort Hays State, Fr.
Designated Player: Air Cordova – Emporia State, Jr.
Utility/Pitcher: Terin Ritz – Central Oklahoma, So.
Utility/Non-Pitcher: Leslie Callahan, Jr.
Gold Glove Team
Pitcher: Jaycee Ginter – Washburn, Jr.
Catcher: Emily Sampson – Northeastern State, Jr.
First Base: Paxtyn Hayes – Pittsburg State, Jr.
Second Base: Mikayla Rutland – Central Oklahoma, Sr.
Shortstop: Gabby Schultz – Pittsburg State, Jr.
Third Base: Marrit Mead – Washburn, Jr.
Outfield: Avery Anderson – Northwest Missouri, Jr.
Outfield: Rylee Lemos – Central Oklahoma, Fr.
Outfield: Adrianna Young – Missouri Southern, Jr.
Honorable Mentions
Central Missouri: Paige Petefish (Pitcher); Makenzie McAtee (First Base); Jessica Sader (Third Base); MaKenzie Cooper (Designated Player)
Central Oklahoma: Terin Reitz (Pitcher); Rylee Lemos (Outfield)
Fort Hays State: Savanah Egger (Pitcher); Carly Stuke (Outfield)
Missouri Southern: Avery Tallman (Pitcher); Ashlynn Williams (Catcher); Katie Gray (First Base); Josie Tofpi (Shortstop); Emily Perry (Outfield); Kara Amos (Utility/Pitcher)
Missouri Western: Harley Pruetting (Pitcher); Kennedy Preston (Catcher); Abby Dickey (Outfield)
Nebraska Kearney: Katie Gosker (Catcher); Sydney Thomason (Utility/Pitcher)
Newman: Gianna Navarro (Second Base)
Northeastern State: Madison Heinle (Pitcher); Emily Sampson (Catcher)
Northwest Missouri: Olivia Daugherty (Third Base); Lillie Filger (Outfield); Omara Love (Outfield)
Pittsburg State: Hannah Harrison (Pitcher); Taylor Lambert (Second Base); Gabby Schultz (Shortstop); Kylee Bhole (Designated Player)
Rogers State: Jade Sanders (Pitcher); Abbey Rogers (Catcher); Nicole Price (Shortstop); Jaylan Gibson (Third Base); Paxton Donaldson (Outfield)
Washburn: Hadley Kerschen (Second Base)
