Three Kats named to preseason All-SLC softball teams
1/29/2020 11:00:00 AM | Softball
FRISCO — The defending conference champion Bearkats have landed three players on the preseason All-Southland Conference softball squads, the league announced Wednesday morning.
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Seniors Megan McDonald and Tiffany Thompson are Sam Houston State's two representatives on the first team. Junior Brooke Malia was named to the second team.
"I am excited for Megan, Tiffany and Brooke to be recognized on the preseason All-Southland teams," head coach Garrett Valis said. "They are hard workers and have a tremendous amount of experience in our league. I look for major contributions from them on and off of the field. They are a joy to coach and will continue to have a positive impact for our program."
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Thompson, who was a first-team All-SLC selection last season, had an outstanding 2019 campaign at shortstop, earning SLC Hitter of the Week honors in consecutive weeks. She hit .330 in SLC play with three home runs and was fourth in league play in triples (two), sixth in sacrifice bunts (6), seventh in hits (29), eighth in runs scored (18), ninth in slugging (.568) and 10th in stolen bases (10).
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McDonald, who was also a first-team All-SLC honoree last season, had a huge role in SHSU's run to the SLC regular-season championship as the table setter at the top of the lineup. She was fifth in SLC play in batting average (.389), tied for first in triples (three), second in hits (35) and fifth in runs scored (19).
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Malia enjoyed a solid season at second base to land on the All-SLC third team in 2019. She hit .325 in conference play and was tied for first in home runs with seven (her 10 total home runs were fourth best in the SLC). She was second in slugging percentage (.687) and fourth in RBIs (22) and doubles (nine with a season total of 15, which was second best in the league).
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2020 Preseason All-Southland Conference softball teams
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First Team
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Second Team
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Seniors Megan McDonald and Tiffany Thompson are Sam Houston State's two representatives on the first team. Junior Brooke Malia was named to the second team.
"I am excited for Megan, Tiffany and Brooke to be recognized on the preseason All-Southland teams," head coach Garrett Valis said. "They are hard workers and have a tremendous amount of experience in our league. I look for major contributions from them on and off of the field. They are a joy to coach and will continue to have a positive impact for our program."
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Thompson, who was a first-team All-SLC selection last season, had an outstanding 2019 campaign at shortstop, earning SLC Hitter of the Week honors in consecutive weeks. She hit .330 in SLC play with three home runs and was fourth in league play in triples (two), sixth in sacrifice bunts (6), seventh in hits (29), eighth in runs scored (18), ninth in slugging (.568) and 10th in stolen bases (10).
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McDonald, who was also a first-team All-SLC honoree last season, had a huge role in SHSU's run to the SLC regular-season championship as the table setter at the top of the lineup. She was fifth in SLC play in batting average (.389), tied for first in triples (three), second in hits (35) and fifth in runs scored (19).
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Malia enjoyed a solid season at second base to land on the All-SLC third team in 2019. She hit .325 in conference play and was tied for first in home runs with seven (her 10 total home runs were fourth best in the SLC). She was second in slugging percentage (.687) and fourth in RBIs (22) and doubles (nine with a season total of 15, which was second best in the league).
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2020 Preseason All-Southland Conference softball teams
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First Team
| Name | School | Pos. | Class | Hometown |
| Kaylyn Shepherd* | Central Arkansas | 1B | Sr. | Mechanicsville, Va. |
| Cayla Jones* | Northwestern State | 2B | Jr. | Missouri City, Texas |
| Cylla Hill* | Central Arkansas | 3B | Sr. | Henryetta, Okla. |
| Tiffany Thompson* | Sam Houston State | SS | Sr. | Montgomery, Texas |
| Ella Manzer* | Southeastern Louisiana | C | Jr. | Alexandria, La. |
| Jade Lewis* | Lamar | DP | Sr. | Mont Belvieu, Texas |
| Megan McDonald* | Sam Houston State | OF | Sr. | Georgetown, Texas |
| Madisen Blackford* | Southeastern Louisiana | OF | Jr. | Des Moines, Iowa |
| Kayla Crutchmer* | Central Arkansas | OF | Sr. | Tulsa, Okla. |
| Kassidy Wilbur* | Stephen F. Austin | P | So. | Bridge City, Texas |
| Alley McDonald* | Southeastern Louisiana | P | Sr. | Whitehouse, Tenn. |
| Alexsandra Flores* | McNeese | P | Sr. | Lufkin, Texas |
| E.C. Delafield* | Northwestern State | UT | Jr. | Stonewall, La. |
Second Team
| Name | School | Pos. | Class | Hometown |
| Samantha Dares* | Nicholls | 1B | Sr. | Metairie, La. |
| Bryana Novegil* | Stephen F. Austin | 2B | Jr. | Houston, Texas |
| Brooke Malia* | Sam Houston State | 2B | Jr. | Houston, Texas |
| Caitlin Garcia* | Nicholls | 3B | Jr. | Spring, Texas |
| Cori McCrary* | McNeese | SS | Sr. | McCarley, Miss. |
| Alexis Perry | Northwestern State | C | So. | Wylie, Texas |
| Samantha Bradley* | Abilene Christian | DP | Sr. | Azle, Texas |
| Kaylee Lopez* | McNeese | OF | So. | Indian Bayou, La. |
| Elise Vincent* | Northwestern State | OF | Sr. | Maurice, La. |
| Linsey Tomlinson* | Abilene Christian | OF | Sr. | Huffman, Texas |
| Ashley Kriesel* | Stephen F. Austin | P | Jr. | Houston, Texas |
| Sammi Thomas* | Texas A&M-Corpus Christi | UT | So. | Buford, Ga. |
Players Mentioned
Monday, February 02
Monday, April 07
Sunday, February 23
Wednesday, April 28
