Three Fort Lewis College softball players were named to the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference teams Tuesday, and one player was named for her defensive abilities.
Angelique Elemen made the All-RMAC second team, while Taylor Hollestelle and McKenna Hefley were named to the honorable mention teams for the Skyhawks. Elemen was also named to the first-ever RMAC Gold Glove team for her play at first base.
Fort Lewis finished the season 16-37 and 11-29 in conference play. FLC head coach Elle Fracker said she was proud of her three postseason award winners but also thought that other players on her roster deserved to be recognized for their play this past season.
Elemen now holds five school records for her offensive play. Fracker said Elemen’s defensive play at first base really helped round out her game.
“For her to never have played first base before this season and be named to the Gold Glove team is really special,” Fracker said. “She’s a utility player and was only a catcher. With her injuries, it was too tough for her to catch behind the plate, and for her to have adjusted and have the season she had at first was outstanding.”
In 374 chances, or throws to first, she made 354 putouts and added 14 assists while she helped execute 13 double plays. She made five errors all season and finished with a fielding percentage of .987.
Hollestelle was known for her clutch hitting as a utility player. In her first season with FLC after she transferred from Eastern Arizona College, she had a batting average of .348, recorded 62 hits, 34 runs batted in, eight home runs, 14 doubles and 44 runs scored. She was the only player this season to have a five-hit game, which came against Adam State, and she led the team in multi-hit games with 17.
McKenna Hefley was selected to the honorable mention team after she put together a strong sophomore season. She had a .354 batting average, 52 hits, 35 RBIs, six home runs, 13 doubles, three triples and 36 runs scored. She led the team in multi-RBI games with 10 and had 15 multi-hit games.
“It’s great to have three kids on the list, and we’re looking forward to adding more in the next few years,” Fracker said.
First baseman AnnMarie Torres of Colorado Mesa University was named player of the year, Kimbri Herring also of CMU was named pitcher of the year, and Colorado School of Mines’ Leah Glasgow was named coach of the year.
bploen@durangoherald.com
