IRVING, Texas – A trio of Hilltopper Softball rookies – Maddie Bowlds, Shelby Nunn and Jordan Thomas – were recognized as members of the 2018 Conference USA All-Freshman Team, the league office announced Tuesday in addition to the All-Conference and specialty awards. WKU was the only team to land multiple freshmen on the 12-person list.
Hailing from Utica, Ky., Bowlds started 48 games at first base for the Red and White. Hitting mainly from the two-hole, Bowlds slashed a line of .313 / .373 / .395 across her rookie campaign. Bowlds' 13 sacrifice hits on the year is tied for the fifth-most in a single season by a Hilltopper while she's also swiped eight bases and owns a .981 fielding percentage. Bowlds made an immediate impact for WKU, going 4-for-5 in her first collegiate game with two RBI, a double and a triple. She's racked up 10 multi-hit games across 2018.
A local product from Bowling Green, Nunn has made an immediate impact for the Hilltoppers in the circle owning a C-USA-best 43 appearances – the second most in a WKU single season ever. Nunn led all C-USA freshman pitchers with 15 wins which ranked fourth among all hurlers. With 171.1 innings across the regular season, Nunn tossed the fifth-most frames of all the league's pitchers. With a few at bats on the year as well, Nunn posted a three-run home run while drawing a pair of walks as well.
Lebanon, Ky., native Thomas was a staple for the Hilltoppers in the leadoff role. In her debut season, Thomas has already tied the program record for doubles in a season with 16 and has reset the walks drawn record with 39 currently. Thomas owns a team-best 1.027 OPS while hitting at a .325 rate. With 16 doubles, three triples and five home runs, the freshman leads the team with 24 extra-base hits while leading the team in overall knocks (50) and runs scored (41). Thomas is one of four Hilltoppers to start all 52 games on the season, playing mainly in right field.
WKU has landed at least one rookie on the All-Freshman team each year since joining Conference USA. Carleigh Chaumont (2015), Bryce Holmgren (2016) and Kelsey Aikey (2017) have each earned recognition as well.
2018 Conference USA Specialty Awards
Player of the Year: Morgan Turkoly, Louisiana Tech
Pitcher of the Year: Preslee Gallaway, Louisiana Tech
Newcomer of the Year: Katie Clark, North Texas
Freshman of the Year: Aly Harrell, Marshall
Coach of the Year: Joan Joyce, Florida Atlantic
All-Conference USA First Team
C - Taylor McCord, Marshall
C - Morgan Harris, Middle Tennessee
INF - Haley Pace, Charlotte
INF - Kasandra Castle, FIU
INF - Emily Lochten, Florida Atlantic
INF - Natalie Erwin, UAB
INF - Courtney Clayton, UTEP
OF - Jackie Schoff, FIU
OF - Madisyn Palmer, Florida Atlantic
OF - Morgan Turkoly, Louisiana Tech
OF - Bailee Baldwin, UTSA
DP/Utility - Aly Harrell, Marshall
P - Shannon Saile, FIU
P - Preslee Gallaway, Louisiana Tech
P - Cori Jennings, Middle Tennessee
All-Conference USA Second Team
C - Marilyn Rizzato, Louisiana Tech
C - Samantha Papp, Southern Miss
INF - Jessica Rivera, FIU
INF - Elicia D'Orazio, Marshall
INF - Lexi Cushing, Middle Tennessee
INF - Summer Burgess, Middle Tennessee
INF - Lacy Gregory, North Texas
OF - Jordan Colliflower, Marshall
OF - Precious Birdsong, Middle Tennessee
OF - Katie Clark, North Texas
OF - Destini England, UAB
DP/Utility - Ciarra Cherry, Southern Miss
P - Haley Wiseman, Charlotte
P - Tatum Buckley, Florida Atlantic
P - Hope Trautwein, North Texas
Conference USA All-Freshman Team
Venessa Gallegos, FIU
Sloane Stewartson, Louisiana Tech
Amber Baldwin, Middle Tennessee
Aly Harrell, Marshall
Hope Trautwein, North Texas
Destini Brown, Southern Miss
Emily Kachel, UAB
Ariana Valles, UTEP
Ashlynn Walls, UTSA
Shelby Nunn, WKU
Maddie Bowlds, WKU
Jordan Thomas, WKU
How to Follow the Hilltoppers: For complete information on WKU Softball, follow the team on Twitter at @WKUSoftball, Instagram @WKU_Softball and Facebook /WKUSoftball.
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