RICHMOND, Va. – Headlined by first team accolades for junior pitcher Kiandra Mitchum and junior outfielder Kara Shutt, the Elon University softball team saw five members of its program earn All Colonial Athletic Association honors as the league office announced its 2017 postseason awards on Tuesday evening, May 9.
Mitchum and Shutt represented the Phoenix on the All-CAA first team and was two of four All-CAA selections for Elon. Seniors Alaina Hall and Carey Million picked up second team honors for the maroon and gold while fellow senior Emily Roper represented the program on the league’s All-Academic Team.
Mitchum finished the season with an 18-13 record and a 2.18 ERA to receive her first career all-league accolade. The Mechanicsville, Va., native carried the Phoenix in the circle this season and led the CAA in innings pitched with 211.2 during the regular season. She also posted a career-best 180 strikeouts, which is the second-highest single-season total in school history. Mitchum finished in the top-five of the league in wins, ERA, batting average (.227), saves (three) and strikeouts.
Shutt was recognized with her second straight first team All-CAA selection in the outfield. The Greensboro, N.C., native started all 53 games this season and was second on the team with a .333 average, 54 hits and her three home runs. She also was tied for the team-lead with 19 multi-hit games and led the Phoenix with a .375 average and 11 runs scored during CAA play.
Hall picked up her second All-CAA recognition in her impressive collegiate career. The Suwanee, Ga., native led the Phoenix with a .373 overall average and was in the top-five of the CAA in total hits with 62. She moved to second all-time in school history in career hits this season and tied the team-lead with 19 multi-hit games. She was also tied for second on the team with 22 RBI.
Million picked up her first career all-league honor after an outstanding senior campaign. The Roebling, N.J., native batted a career-best .329 and led the team with seven homers and 48 RBI. She broke Emerald Graham’s single-season RBI team record this season and had 11 multi-RBI games on the year. The senior catcher also led the CAA with 15 runners caught stealing from her position behind the dish.
Roper rounded out the All-CAA selections for the Phoenix with her third straight honor to the league’s All-Academic Team. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native has posted a cumulative 4.0 grade-point average during her career as a human service studies major. Last week, she was honored by Elon University with the John W. Barney Memorial Award, which is given to the graduating senior who has the highest cumulative GPA.
James Madison’s Megan Good was voted as the CAA Player and Pitcher of the Year by the league coaches. The Dukes’ Mickey Dean earned the league Coach of the Year accolade while JMU’s Odicci Alexander was the Rookie of the Year. UNCW’s Kelsey Bryan was named the CAA Defensive Player of the Year.
2017 CAA Softball All-Conference Teams
First Team
C Anna Steinmetz, Delaware
1B Morgan Tolle, James Madison
2B Madison Naujokas, James Madison
3B Taylor DuPree, College of Charleston
SS Niki Prince, James Madison
OF Taylor Newton, James Madison
OF Kendyl Scott, Towson
OF Kara Shutt, Elon
DP/Utility (Non-Pitcher) Taylor Belfiore, College of Charleston
Utility/Pitcher Megan Good, James Madison
Pitcher Peyton Jordan, UNCW
Pitcher Kiandra Mitchum, Elon
Player of the Year: Megan Good, James Madison
Coach of the Year: Mickey Dean, Jams Madison
Rookie of the Year: Odicci Alexander, James Madison
Pitcher of the Year: Megan Good, James Madison
Defensive Player of the Year: Kelsey Bryan, UNCW
Second Team
C Carey Million, Elon
1B Mariah Kondravy, Delaware
2B Lauren Moore, UNCW
3B Madyson Moran, James Madison
SS Kristin Hallam, Hofstra
SS Kelly Sinclair, College of Charleston
OF Sara Garcia, College of Charleston
OF Brielle Pietrafessa, Hofstra
OF Alaina Hall, Elon
OF Jordin Jones, College of Charleston
DP/Utility (Non-Pitcher) Holiday Cahill, Towson
Pitcher Sarah Cornell, Hofstra
Pitcher Sarah Davis, UNCW
All-Rookie Team
Odicci Alexander, James Madison
Cambry Arnold, James Madison
Taylor Befiore, College of Charleston
Izzy Berouty, College of Charleston
Sarah Cornell, Hofstra
Kristin Hallam, Hofstra
Alyssa Irons, Hofstra
Madison Naujokas, James Madison
Kierstin Roadcap, James Madison
Linda Rush, Drexel
All-Academic
Megan Dejter, Towson
Leanna Gearhart, Delaware
Izzy McCluskey, College of Charleston
Lauren Moore, UNCW
Erin Okoniewski, Drexel
Jessica Peslak, Hofstra
Emily Roper, Elon
Ashley Samuels, James Madison