By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Peyton Shepard and Loren Beggs of Fort Hays State were each named All-MIAA on Tuesday (April 30). Both were honorable mention selections. Shepard earned All-MIAA status for a second-straight year, while Beggs received the first all-conference nod in her career at FHSU. Also earning honors was Regan Curry, named to the Gold Glove Team at shortstop. The All-MIAA and Gold Glove Teams are selected by the head coaches within the MIAA.
Shepard, a sophomore outfielder, has been the offensive leader for FHSU in several categories for the second-straight season putting up near identical marks to her freshman campaign. Shepard enters the MIAA Tournament with a team-leading .375 batting average, 63 hits, .440 slugging percentage, .432 on-base percentage, and 19 stolen bases. As a freshman in 2023, she hit .373 with a .400 slugging percentage, .431 on-base percentage, and 19 stolen bases. Last year, Shepard received a second-team selection in the outfield.
Beggs, a senior third baseman, is hitting .315 for the 2024 season entering the MIAA Tournament. She leads the Tigers in home runs (3) and RBIs (26) this season. She is tied for the team lead in extra-base hits with 11. Beggs has also put together one of her best defensive seasons with a .950 fielding percentage at third base and ranks second on the team in defensive assists with 86.
Curry, junior shortstop, has enjoyed another rock-solid season defensively for the Tigers. She holds a .963 fielding percentage for the season with just six errors on 164 defensive chances, leading the Tigers in defensive assists with 91. She is nearly dead even with her fielding percentage from last season when she had a .964 fielding percentage with just seven errors on 196 defensive chances. She has 293 defensive assists in her career, which ranks fifth in program history.
2024 MIAA Softball Postseason Awards
Co-Player of the Year – Heather Arnett – Pittsburg State, So.
Co-Player of the Year – Terin Ritz – Central Oklahoma, Jr.
Pitcher of the Year – Sara Llamas-Howell – Rogers State, Sr.
Defensive Player of the Year – Shayleigh Odom – Central Oklahoma, Sr.
Freshman of the Year – Ava Laurent – Pittsburg State, Fr.
Coaching Staff of the Year – Pittsburg State – Jenny Fuller, Brad Fuller, Abby Atkin, Tyler Fuller and Ashton Friend
2024 All-MIAA Softball Teams
ALL-MIAA FIRST TEAM
Pitcher: Ava Laurent – Pittsburg State
Pitcher: Sarah Llamas-Howell – Rogers State
Pitcher: Terin Ritz – Central Oklahoma
Catcher: Callie Yellin – Rogers State
First Base: Maddie Fernandez – Pittsburg State
Second Base: Hannah Burnett – Pittsburg State
Shortstop: Emily Deramus – Central Oklahoma
Third Base: Josie Harrison – Emporia State
Outfield: Heather Arnett – Pittsburg State
Outfield: Alexis Dial – Emporia State
Outfield: Rylee Lemos – Central Oklahoma
Designated Player: Paxtyn Hayes – Pittsburg State
Utility/Pitcher: Jaycee Ginter – Washburn
ALL-MIAA SECOND TEAM
Pitcher: Jordyn Pipkin – Central Oklahoma
Pitcher: Sadie Walker – Washburn
Catcher: Abbey Rogers – Rogers State
First Base: Hayley Bonython – Newman
Second Base: Taylor Nuckolls – Missouri Southern
Shortstop: Kalee Higdon – Missouri Western
Third Base: Marrit Mead – Washburn
Outfield: Jacee Minter – Central Oklahoma
Outfield: Kylee Jacks – Missouri Southern
Outfield: Lillie Filger – Northwest Missouri
Outfield: Paxton Donaldson – Rogers State
Designated Player: Hayden Serna – Central Missouri
Utility/Pitcher: Kara Amos – Missouri Southern
ALL-MIAA HONORABLE MENTION
Central Missouri: Taylor Thompson (Second Base)
Central Oklahoma: Tatum Long (First Base); Rylee Anglen (Second Base); Shayleigh Odom (Outfield)
Emporia State: Bailey Flewelling (Catcher)
Fort Hays State: Loren Beggs (Third Base); Peyton Shepard (Outfield)
Missouri Southern: Katie Gray (First Base); Yazmin Vargas (Outfield)
Missouri Western: Sydney Rader (Pitcher); Mackenzie DeVine (Outfield); Ashlyn Finarty (Utility/Pitcher)
Nebraska Kearney: Mary Chvatal (Shortstop)
Northeastern State: Maddie Messenger (First Base)
Northwest Missouri: Skylar Pieper (First Base)
Pittsburg State: Gabby Schultz (Shortstop)
Rogers State: Jade Sanders (Pitcher); Kaylee Lyon (Third Base)
Washburn: Alexis Tanguma (Second Base)
GOLD GLOVE TEAM
Pitcher: Kiki Pickens – Missouri Southern
Catcher: Mac Moore – Washburn
First Base: Bridgett Morales – Rogers State
Second Base: Hannah Burnett – Pittsburg State
Shortstop: Regan Curry – Fort Hays State
Third Base: Marrit Mead – Washburn
Outfield: Heather Arnett – Pittsburg State
Outfield: Lillie Filger – Northwest Missouri
Outfield: Kylee Jacks – Missouri Southern
Outfield: Shayleigh Odom – Central Oklahoma
Outfield: Yazmin Vargas – Missouri Southern