MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (January 26, 2023) – Here are the Sun Conference Softball Players and Pitchers to Watch for the 2023 season.
Players to Watch
Ave Maria
Marisa Michi
INF | Jr. | Chicago, Ill.
Michi was Ave Maria's top run producer in 2022, driving in 32 runs, a top five total in school history. The junior posted a team-high 13 extra-base hits, including three triples and two home runs, and led the team with eight games of two or more RBIs
Coastal Georgia
Melani Jones
OF | Sr. | Titusville, Fla.
Jones is third all-time in school history for career hits and first for career runs. Batting .397 for her career.
Florida Memorial
Heidy Olivio
SS | So. | Miramar, Fla.
Heidy Olivio is the type of player that elevates everyone around her both on and off the field. Her smooth hands combined with her high softball IQ are going to lead this team into a whole new direction.
Keiser
Macy Schaff
OF | Fr. | Chicago, Illinois
Schaaf has impressed the coaching staff with her athleticism during offseason practices and will be expected to be a key contributor when the season begins.
Southeastern
Jamie Mead
2B | Gr. | Adelaide, South Australia
Mead claimed Sun Conference Player of the Year honors last season after leading the SUN in both hits with 80 and walks with 33 for a dominating .522 on base percentage. The graduate concluded the season with a .425 batting average and 50 RBI's to aid her team in a fourth-place finish at the NAIA World Series.
St. Thomas
Sophia Negron
OF | Sr. | Orlando, Fla.
Sophia is a 5
th year senior with incredible speed and ability. She also broke the conference single season triple record last year.
Thomas
Adreanna Killingsworth
P | Sr. | Sacramento, Calif.
Senior Adrianna Killingsworth will look to use her veteran leadership for the upcoming season. Killingsworth was named to the SUN Conference regular season first team All-SUN Conference after several big sacrifice bunts to help TU win against Southeastern and force extra innings against Webber. Killingsworth was also named to the All-Tournament team after helping lead the Night Hawks to a third-place finish for a second year in a row at the SUN Softball tournament.
Warner
Tyler Mooring
P | So. | St. George, Utah
Sophomore Tyler Mooring is a transfer from McCook Community College who is expected to have a big impact on a young Royals team.
Webber International
Maddie Houtz
C | Sr. | St. Petersburg, Fla.
The senior-catcher is prepped for a standout year in 2023 after starting 57 games behind the plate last year. She was a key-hitter for the Warriors as she finished second on the team in home runs and third in RBI’s in 2022.
Pitchers to Watch
Ave Maria
Ashley Nelson
Jr. | North Port, Fla.
Nelson recorded a 3.33 earned run average in Sun Conference play last season, a stretch that included nine scoreless innings against fellow Sun Conference Tournament qualifier Thomas.
Coastal Georgia
Hayley Dickerson
Sr. | Rincon, Ga.
Last season she broke the school record for strikeouts in a season on her way to being an All-Sun Conference First Team member.
Florida Memorial
Gabriela Pinto
Fr. | Altamonte Springs, Fla.
Gabriela Pinto is an incoming pitcher to watch out for, she’s known for her speed and spin. She is a very composed athlete to be on the lookout for. Pinto is ready to get the job done for FMU.
Keiser
Lizzy Small
So. | Sarasota, Fla.
The 2022 First Team All-Sun Conference pitcher returns for her sophomore year after totaling 73 strikeouts last season. Small also hit four home runs and ten doubles while leading the team in batting average. (.323)
Southeastern
Claire Sekinger
So. | New Orleans, La.
As a freshman, Sekinger was named to the All-Sun Conference First Team after landing at second in the SUN in ERA with a 1.7, opponent batting average at .190, and strikeouts with 175 while leading the conference in wins with 25. Sekinger tossed eight shutouts in her freshman campaign to aid the Fire in their record-breaking 52-13 season.
St. Thomas
Kaitlin Spalding
Gr. | Pembroke Pines, Fla.
Kaitlin is a 5
th year senior with tremendous presence and ability to take us deep into games. She as an overwhelming amount of experience for us.
Thomas
Leanna Lain
Sr. | Slidell, La.
Senior Leanne Lain will look to lead the Night Hawks in the Pitching Circle after recording three strikeouts for the Green and White last season, which marked a season-high for Leanna.
Warner
Madalyn Morton
Sr. | Williamsburg, Pa.
Madelyn Morton made 2nd Team All Conference last year and will be looking to lead the Royals on the mound. She was named a captain on the team, and looks to take on a big role in the season for the Royals.
Webber International
Jenna Chaudoin
Jr. | Greenwood, S.C.
Chaudoin returns for her junior season after helping the Warriors reach the NAIA Softball World Series in 2022. She posted an 8-9 record with a 2.67 ERA in 81.1 innings pitched last year and will be Webber’s go-to in 2023.
The 2023 Sun Conference Softball Tournament will head back to Clearwater at the Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex. Play being Thursday May 4 thru Saturday May 6.
ABOUT THE SUN CONFERENCE
Now entering its 33rd year, The Sun Conference, a 501c3 organization, continues to be one of the most successful intercollegiate athletic conferences in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Under the guidance of Commissioner Dustin Wilke, the league sponsors championships in 20 NAIA sports: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Football, Flag Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field, Women's Lacrosse, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field and Women’s Volleyball. Learn more at thesunconference.com
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