Hoyt named Coach of the Year, Smith Freshman of the Year

Finishing as conference co-champions and earning the top seed in the District B Tournament, the No. 16-ranked Cowley College softball team led the list of all-conference selections with 10 players receiving recognition.

Highlighting the selections was pitcher Saige Smith being named the Freshman of the Year in the conference. Smith is 22-5 with a 2.42 earned run average. She has struck out 211 batters in 150 innings.

"Saige has had a great freshmen year," Cowley head coach Jenny Hoyt said. "She has been a competitor for us in the circle. We are very proud of her, and it's rewarding for her to be recognized by other conference coaches for her performance."

Smith was one of four Cowley players named First Team all-conference performers. Joining Smith on the First Team was sophomore shortstop Maci Cole (.446 average, 22 home runs, 65 runs batted in), sophomore third baseman Kyla Bonnarens (.516 average, 15 home runs, 76 RBI), and freshman designated player Emily Louderback (.364 average, 10 doubles, 26 RBI).

Freshman outfielder Shayne Roberts (.354 average, four home runs, 44 RBI) was named to the Second Team, while Karleigh Bell (.294 average, 25 RBI), Aaliyah Ahmed (.314 average, 19 RBI), Laramie Neff (.296 average, 27 RBI), McKinzi Sowles (.366 average, 42 RBI), and freshman pitcher Jaala Nowlin (10-3, 3.99 ERA) received honorable mention recognition.

"We have a lot of strong players in our conference, and this just goes to show the strength of our team," Hoyt said. "It's very rewarding for those players to be recognized for the season they have had."

With Cowley having won 33 of its last 35 games and finishing 21-1 in the conference, Hoyt was named the Coach of the Year.

"It takes all the players' efforts, sacrifices, and dedication for me to get this honor, and for that, I will be forever grateful," Hoyt said. "My assistant Tori (Beltz) deserves credit as she brings a lot to the table for us to be successful as well. I am so thankful to be their coach, but ultimately this is a team win for us as we all have given time and energy into being successful this season."