Sumrell named MIAA Co-Coach of the Year

Jennies softball coach Rhesa Sumrell was voted by the coaches as the conference Co-Coach of the Year sharing the title with former Jennies player and current Northwest Missouri coach Susan Anderson. Sumrell announced her retirement last week finished her career with a record of 822-527 in 31 years spending the last 20 years at CMSU going 614-359.

CMSU also landed six players on the All-MIAA team this week after the conclusion of the regular season and conference tourney. Junior Heather Whitcomb (Topeka, Kan.) was named to the first-team while senior Kym Caskey (McLoud, Okla.) and juniors Rachel Adams (Barnhart, Mo.) and Megan Hollenbach (Ballwin, Mo.) earned second-team honors. Senior Megan Bax (Jefferson City, Mo.) and Lauren Young (Lenexa, Kan.) earned honorable mention accolades.

Whitcomb led the team in batting average (.357) and stolen bases (24). She tied for the team lead in sacrifices hits with 12 and was second on the team in on base percentage (.417). Whitcomb finished the season fourth on the team in hits (45) and became a member of the 100 Hits club.

Caskey earned her second consecutive second-team honor by finishing tied for the team lead in triples (3), second on the squad in RBIs (29), tied for second in runs scored (29) and home runs (5). She hit .289 for the year and was third on the team in hits (46). Her slugging percentage of .484 was good for second on the team. She finished her career with 13 home runs good for fifth in Jennies history.

Adams set three CMSU offensive records this past season in home runs (16), slugging percentage (.776), and total bases (121). She led the squad in runs (41), hits (55), RBIs (46), walks (24) and on base percentage (.434).

Hollenbach recorded career highs in batting average (.289), runs (19), hits (41), triples (1), and RBIs (17). She was steady in the field as well by committing only three errors in 133 total chances at catcher and in right field (98.1 fielding %).

Bax earned her third consecutive honorable mention selection leading the team in at bats (166) and doubles (15). She finishes her career second in games played (218), tied for third in at bats (647), and fourth in doubles (37).

After being selected to the honorable mention team as a pitcher last year, Young earns her second honorable mention selection this season as designated player. She hit a career high .294 this year which was good for third. Young tied for the team lead in triples (3), was second on the team in hits (48) and tied for second in runs (29) and third in doubles (11) and total bases (68).

The Jens ended their season 32-25 going 1-2 in the MIAA Postseason Tournament. CMSU dropped the opener 5-2 to Washburn, then defeated Missouri Southern 4-0 before being eliminated by Truman 5-2.