BILLINGS, Mont. − Junior shortstop
Heather Hill (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Indian River CC) was selected as the Independent Collegiate Athletic Association’s Softball Player of the Year in release Friday afternoon. Hill and teammates
Brittney Hatem (Hialeah, Fla./Wallace CC-Dothan) and
Sam Boatner (Auburndale, Fla./Polk CC) were selected to the All-ICAA first and second teams, respectively.
The ICAA, in softball, consists of Columbia Union College, Chowan University, Flagler College, Lake Erie College, North Greenville University, Palm Beach Atlantic University and Urbana University. The team was selected by ICAA Director Mike Bond.
Hill batted .326 with 45 hits, 27 runs scored, 10 doubles, 11 stolen bases and a .962 fielding percentage. She led the team with eight home runs, 33 runs batted in and a .404 on-base percentage. Hill finished second in slugging percentage with a .572 clip. She started and played in all 49 games for the first-year program. Hill earned team most valuable players honors. She hit the first home run at Saints Field and also belted two home runs in one game.
Hatem, a junior outfielder, joined Hill on the All-ICAA first team. She led Flagler in hitting with a .358 average and also led the club in hits (53), runs (29), doubles (12), triples (4), total bases (88), slugging percentage (.595.) and stolen bases (14). Hatem was Flagler’s hottest hitter at the close of the season. In the last four games she went 9-for-13 with four doubles, a home run, four runs scored and two more driven in.
Boatner, a junior pitcher, posted a 10-10 record to go along with a 2.16 earned run average. She made 34 appearances, including 18 starts, and completed 13 games and saved three games. Boatner also tallied 143 strikeouts in 159.0 innings pitched. She tossed a pair of complete game shutouts and combined on two more. Boatner tossed the first pitch in the fast-pitch era at Flagler and also earned the first victory in the team’s first-ever game at Florida Tech on Feb. 1.
Next season, Flagler will compete in the Peach Belt Conference.
ICAA Coach of the Year honors went to Palm Beach Atlantic’s Kimmy Bloemers. Ashley Jones of PBA was selected as the Pitcher of the Year and Megan Foley of Lake Erie earned Freshman of the Year honors.
All-ICAA first-team:
Pitchers: Ashley Jones (PBA); Shellie Wimpey (CHO).
Catcher: Lindsey Eargle (NGU).
Infielders: Megan Foley (LEC); Tricia Gorman (CHO); Heather Hill (FC); Erica Schroeder (UU).
Outfielders: Brittney Hatem (FC); Brooke Owen (CHO); Katie Staats (LEC).
All-ICAA second-team:
Pitchers: Sam Boatner (FC); Kristyn Smith (NGU).
Catcher: Linsey Manning (UU).
Infielders: Caitlin Bouschet (PBA); Allie Kolezynski (CHO); April Ridenour (CUC); Mari Stokes (PBA).