MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - With yet another regular season title under their belt, the Vikings have filled up the All-SAA honors, with a total of ten athletes earning their way onto all-conference teams, headlined by Pitcher of the Year, Hannah Gore.
Gore earned SAA Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-SAA for the first time in her career, after dominating opposing batters all year with a total of 140 strikeouts, including 10 in a single game against Hendrix. The Roswell, Georgia, native led her team to a 14-5 record as a starter, while maintaining a 2.61 ERA heading into the conference tournament. With Gore on the mound, the Vikings outscored their opponents by a score of 134-77, nearly doubling their opponents' totals against them. The senior leader recently eclipsed 500 career strikeouts and is looking to put a cherry on top of an illustrious career in a Viking uniform with some postseason magic.
Lauren Cothern earned her way to First Team All-SAA for the second year in a row, after leading the Vikings in home runs with 11 and RBI with 34. The hard hitting first-baseman saw nearly half of her total hits (43) become extra-base hits or house calls. The junior was also an effective base runner, scoring 33 runs on the season. Cothern will play a pivotal role from her typical clean up position in the batting lineup in helping the Vikings back to another SAA Tournament Championship.
Joining them as First Team All-SAA performers were sisters Paige and Erica Bennett. Paige was known for her high level of athleticism which she showcased in her fielding game as the Vikings' shortstop. Her agility and range gave first-year Head Coach Meredith Mills a tremendous amount of room to be creative with her fielding alignment, given that Paige had the left side of the infield on lock. Paige also made her mark as a hitter, bringing in 41 hits and 22 RBI. On the flip side of the family tree, Erica blasted onto the scene as a freshman outfielder for the Vikings. Erica's speed both on the bases and on the green separated her from many freshmen in the SAA. Erica also showcased her hitting prowess this season, finishing the regular season second on the team in RBI with 33.
Rounding out the First Team All-SAA ballot was do-it-all pitcher, outfielder, and slugger, Ava Fouts. Fouts delivered in every aspect of the game, beginning with her unbelievable ability in the batter's box. Fouts batted .450 on the year to lead the Vikings in average. She slapped through 49 hits that also leads the Viking roster, while decimating 13 extra-base hits. The star sophomore also pitched a terrific 2.03 ERA and had 43 strikeouts in just 62 innings of work to make the All-SAA Second Team as a pitcher as well.
Junior Bradynn Belcher impressed the conference this season, as she earned her first All-Conference mark of her career with an All-SAA Second Team nod. Belcher's quick reactions from her catcher position jammed many opposing base runners from advancing into scoring position. Belcher amassed a team-high of 162 putouts on the season to anchor the Berry defense.
Sophomore Katelyn Boman earned her first Second Team All-SAA honor after stepping in to become the Vikings' go-to pinch runner, as well as a reliable second baseman. Boman made a number of huge defensive plays throughout the season, accumulating 38 putouts and 19 assists with nearly no errors to her name.
Freshman Kennedy Moody rounded out the Second Team All-SAA tab for the Vikings, with 41 hits and 24 RBI. Primarily batting out of the six hole, Moody became a huge spark in the middle third of the Viking batting lineup that was known to galvanize the remaining batters of the lineup.
The lone All-SAA Honorable Mention was Elly Bennett, who batted .358 on the season and had 30 runs scored on 43 hits and the second bat in the Berry batting order. Bennett was also an RBI merchant, with 20 on the season. Defensively, Bennett's range and speed in the centerfield handcuffed opposing bats from utilizing that area of the field.
Freshman Cara Holland earned her way onto the SAA All-Sportsmanship Team for her love of the game, support of her teammates, and respect for her opponents throughout the season.
