Five Reddies Named to 2018 All-GAC Teams; Four Earn Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Honors

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — Five Henderson State softball players were named to the 2018 All-Great American Conference teams on Tuesday morning, and four were recognized as GAC Distinguished Scholar-Athletes, the league office announced.

Freshman outfielder Madie Green was the lone Reddie on the All-GAC First Team. Green, from Keller, Texas, was Henderson's team leader this season with a .372 batting average, 10 homeruns, 37 RBIs, 38 runs scored and a .439 OBP. She finished in the Top-10 in the GAC in six different offensive categories, and was one of three freshmen in the conference to earn First-Team recognition. Green joins Michelle Sorensen as the only Reddie freshmen since the inception of the GAC in 2011-12 to be awarded First-Team honors.

Seniors Sydney Bonner and Bethany Allen represented Henderson on the All-GAC Second Team. Bonner, who hails from East End, Arkansas, and Sheridan High School, was the Reddies' go-to pitcher this season, and racked up 12 wins in 24 starts with a 3.75 ERA. She pitched 14 complete games and 148.2 innings this year. Allen, who started 53 games this season for Henderson at shortstop and third base, also garnered Second-Team recognition. The native of Mineral Wells, Texas, led the team with 63 hits and 12 stolen bases in 2018, and carried a .366 batting average.

Freshmen Mallory Brewer and Lindsey Williams were also recognized by the league with Honorable Mention All-GAC status. Brewer, from El Dorado, Arkansas, and Smackover High School, led Henderson with a 2.77 ERA in 23 appearances in the circle. She picked up six wins and four saves in her first college campaign. Williams, from Conway, Arkansas, and Conway High School, carried a .362 batting average in her first season with the Reddies, and racked up 47 hits and 28 runs scored. Her .432 OBP was the second-best on the team.

Of the six total freshmen listed on the 2018 All-GAC teams, Henderson boasted three. No other school in the league had more than one.

Along with the All-GAC honors, four Reddies garnered GAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete recognition: Bethany Allen, Nadia Ballarin, Cayleigh Guthrie and Alexis Morton. Henderson's four distinguished scholars tied with Harding for most in the league.

The No. 4 seed Reddies kick off GAC Tournament play tonight at 6 p.m. at the Tiger Athletic Complex in Bentonville, Arkansas, against No. 5 seed Southern Nazarene.

 

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