[Softball] Six Softball Falcons Earn All-KCAC Nod; Davis Named Freshman of the Year

WICHITA, Kan. – Rolling along by winning 14 of their last 17 games down the stretch to finish third in the KCAC, the Friends University Falcons were duly honored with six representatives on the All-KCAC team, including outfielder Kat Davis (FR/Keller, Texas) receiving Freshman of the Year honors.

First-team selections were pitcher Hali Walters (SO/Longmont, Colo.), catcher Kylie Fox (SR/Wichita, Kan. ), first baseman Mackenzie Nichols (SR/Columbus, Ohio) and outfielder Shelby Belloni (SR/Denver, Colo. ). Davis was a second-team performer and outfielder Isabella Gonzalez (SR/Bakersfield, Calif.) garnered honorable-mention recognition. Fox and Gonzalez also received a conference Gold Glove award.

"I'm just extremely proud of this whole team this year!" first year head coach Suzanne Unruh said. "Early in the fall, we talked a lot about commitment, strong leadership and discussed our team and individual goals for the spring season. I know how hard this team worked day in and day out on having a winning season, a top three finish and the accomplishment of being selected to the all-conference team."

"Kat has a great future to look forward to!  She showed us so much as a freshman starter, it will be awesome to see her grow here at Friends on and off the field."

Walters has put together ace performances throughout the season for the Falcons, but has been particularly stingy in April, going 10-1 with 66 strikeouts and a miniscule 0.83 ERA.  For the season, Walters is tied for the KCAC-lead with 15 wins and is ranked third in the league in strikeouts per game (6.90) and sixth in ERA (2.64). She also been a reliable option to finish off wins, as she is tied for first in the conference with three saves.

Fox anchors the Falcons at the plate and behind the plate, pacing the team in batting average (.429), RBIs (31), doubles (18), slugging percentage (.672), on-base-percentage (.536) and walks (25). She is also second on the team in homers (three) and has thrown out eight runners trying to steal. Her on-base-percentage is tops in the KCAC, with her batting average (fourth) and slugging percentage (fifth) each ranking within the top five of the league.

Nichols' seven home runs leads the Falcons and is tied for third in the KCAC. She is also hitting .375 and is second on the team in slugging percentage (.670). She has stepped up her power display recently, wrapping up the season with four homers over her last five games.  

Belloni is batting a robust .404 on the season, which is good for third on the Falcons. She also leads the team in hits (55) and triples (three), while ranking second in runs (37) and on-base-percentage (.458).

In her first season with the program, Davis has provided immediate impact by batting .415 and driving in 30 runs, with each ranking second on the team. Her across the board production includes finishing second in hits (54) and tied for second in doubles (12), while being third in on-base-percentage (.455).

Gonzalez has provided a steady hand in the leadoff spot and in centerfield, where she earned a Gold Glove.  She is hitting .344 and is fourth on the team in on-base-percentage (.442). Gonzalez has also made getting on base at a high rate count, scoring a team-best 40 runs while swiping a team-best 20 bases.  Her runs scored is third in the KCAC and her stolen base total ranks fourth.

The Falcons won earlier today 3-2 over McPherson College in the KCAC Tournament and will now face top-seeded Avila University tomorrow, game time is TBD.