Softball receives six MAC Postseason Awards

CLEVELAND – – Six members of the Ball State softball program were honored for their strong play in the 2023 Mid-American Conference season as the MAC’s 11 head coaches announced the league’s postseason honors.

The Cardinals were led by a pair of All-MAC First Team selections in the redshirt sophomore catcher.McKayla Timmonsand a senior third basemanHaley Wynn.

Ball State also placed three student-athletes on the All-MAC Second Team at senior shortstopThe end Danielredshirt freshman Utility playerMcKenna Mulhollandand a sophomore pitcherAngelina Russoall deserve a nod. Mulholland and the pitcher Bridie Murphywas also selected to the MAC All-Freshman Team.

Timmons and Wynn both earned All-MAC First Team honors in 2023, giving the Cardinals now 34 first team selections since the 2009 season, the most of any school in the league. Miami is second in the span at 31 years, while Northern Illinois is third at 26 years.

The Ball State softball team returns to action on Thursday when it opens play in the 2023 MAC Softball Championship at No. 4 with a game against top-ranked and tournament host Miami at 3:30 p.m.

MCKAYLA TIMMONS: First Team All-MAC

Redshirt sophomoreMcKayla Timmonsearns All-MAC honors for the first time in his career after leading the Ball State offense with 29 RBIs in BSU’s 29 league games. A .349 batter in MAC play, Timmons drove in the game-winning RBI in seven of the Cardinals’ 17 league wins, four of which came via home runs.

“I’m proud of McKayla’s impact this year,” head coachLacy Schurrsaid. “His 2022 season was cut short by injury, but he came into this year hungry to finish what he started. He’s stepped up his game both physically and mentally and it’s really paid off for him.”

In fact, Timmons’ 10 home runs in conference games tied for the fourth most of any player in the league, while his .733 slugging percentage was seventh. A starter in all 29 MAC games for the Cardinals, Timmons also caught four runners attempting to steal and collected three picks at catcher in league play.

HALEY WYNN: First Team All-MAC

Senior third basemanHaley Wynnearns All-MAC honors for the first time in his career after finishing MAC play with one of the league’s best lineups, finishing fourth in runs scored (26) and seventh in RBI (27). One of the league’s top hitters, ranking seventh with a .375 average, Wynn reached base safely in 25 of BSU’s 29 league games and scored at least one run (either a run or RBI) in 19 games.

“Haley has stepped up huge for us this year,” Schurr said. “He was thrust into the leadoff spot in the first game and hasn’t looked back. His maturity at that position is priceless! He’s been a spark for us and I’m so proud of him and what he’s been able to accomplish.”

Of his 33 major league hits, 15 came in multiple games, including nine home runs, five doubles and a triple. He produced his first two career home runs in MAC play this season. He had all three of Ball State’s wins twice in the same game at Kent State, against Central Michigan and Akron. Wynn also finished second in the MAC in walks (21), fourth in on-base percentage (.491), fourth in OPS (1.252) and fifth in slugging (.761).

AMAIA DANIEL: Second Team All-MAC

Senior shortstopThe end Danielearns All-MAC honors for the second time in his career after also being named to the All-MAC first team last season. A starter in all 24 league games this season, Daniel paced all league players with a .405 batting average in MAC play. He collected four doubles, a triple and a pair of home runs in 30 league hits.

“Amaia has been a leader for us both on and off the field since the moment I arrived in Muncie,” Schurr said. “He is a joy to coach and I am so happy to see him recognized for all that he has done!”

Daniel drove in 10 RBIs and scored 16 runs in MAC games while posting a .568 slugging percentage and .494 on-base percentage to rank ninth among major league players with a 1.062 OPS. He also helped the Ball State defense turn five double plays in MAC play.

MCKENNA MULHOLLAND: Second Team All-MAC & MAC All-Freshman Team

Redshirt freshmanMcKenna Mulhollandearns All-MAC honors for the first time in his career, finishing second among all MAC freshmen with a .360 batting average in league play. In fact, he led all MAC players in conference play with 11 doubles, three more than the next closest player. Overall, Mulholland recorded at least one hit in 17 of his 29 major league appearances, and reached base safely in 20 games.

“McKenna has been pushed into all kinds of roles this year on the court and she has taken every challenge and risen to the occasion,” Schurr said. “This is just the tip of the iceberg for him!”

Additionally, Mulholland owned a .432 on-base percentage, .587 slugging mark and 1.019 OPS in conference play. He scored at least one run (run scored or RBI) in 11 major league games, including three RBIs in two contests. Mulholland also posted a 4-for-4 effort in BSU’s regular season finale at Akron (April 30), diving for three RBIs to help the Cardinals secure a 5-4 victory and a berth in the 2023 MAC Tournament.

ANGELINA RUSSO: Second Team All-MAC

Second year pitcherAngelina Russoearns All-MAC honors for the first time in his career as he turns in another strong MAC season, producing a 2.21 ERA over 69.2 innings of work to finish third in the conference. The 2022 MAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year and 2022 MAC All-Freshman Team honoree, Russo finished fourth among MAC pitchers with a .224 opponents’ batting average in league play while posting a 7-4 record and striking out 61 total batters.

“Angelina is such a special pitcher,” Schurr said. “He brings tools that not many pitchers have. He’s gained a lot of experience over the last two seasons and it’s really shown in his presence and demeanor on the mound. I’m so happy for him!”

Russo also combined for a pair of shutouts in MAC competition in addition to just the 19th no-hitter in program history in the Cardinals’ 11-3 (6) win over Buffalo on April 16. He shut out league foes in seven games. in his 21 MAC appearances, but limited opponents to one run seven other times. Russo also held opponents to two or fewer hits in 11 games while tallying at least one hit in 20 games, including a MAC season-high eight in BSU’s 8-4 win over Central Michigan (March 25).

BRIDIE MURPHY: MAC All-Freshman Team

Freshman pitcher Bridie Murphy earns MAC All-Freshman Team honors after a solid debut season in the circle, posting a 6-3 record and 2.50 ERA over 15 MAC appearances. He struck out 27 batters in 42.0 innings, holding opponents scoreless in seven innings and allowing just one run in four other appearances.

“Bridie’s first year has been everything you could hope for from a freshman,” Schurr said. “He’s gotten better with every inning and every pitch. I’m excited to see what’s in store for him!”

Murphy had at least one hit in 13 MAC games, a MAC season-high five to earn the save in Ball State’s 6-2 win over Buffalo (April 15), where he retired all nine batters he faced. He also combined with Russo a day later to help record the 19th no-hitter in program history in an 11-3 (6) win against the Bulls. Murphy closed out the regular season by earning the save in Ball State’s 5-4 win at Akron, retiring all three batters he faced to help the Cardinals secure a spot in the 2023 MAC Tournament.