League-High Eight Lumberjacks Earn All-CCAA Softball Honors

April 29, 2016

 

STOCKTON, Calif. – The Humboldt State softball program is already winning the postseason as a league-best eight Lumberjacks earned All-California Collegiate Athletic Association honors Friday.

Sophomore outfielder Hanna Holland and senior pitcher Katie Obbema headlined the selected Green and Gold players as the conference’s Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year, respectively. Pitcher Madison Williams and second baseman Tiffany Hollingsworth joined Obbema and Holland as All-CCAA First Team honorees. Catcher Darian Harris, shortstop Cyndi Chavez and first baseman Breonna Bejaran were named to the All-CCAA Second Team. Third baseman Julie Pena rounded out the award winners and was named an All-CCAA Honorable Mention choice.

After three seasons leading the Jacks, Head Coach Shelli Sarchett received the conference’s prestigious Coach of the Year award for the first time. She guided the program to a 32-2 league mark, a CCAA Championship and the top seed in the conference tournament. Sarchett’s squad also ranks third nationally and No. 1 in the NCAA Division II West Regional Rankings.

“I am honored to get this award in only my third year,” said Sarchett. “I am happy for this program, and I am so proud of this team. They make me who I am and they are such a big part of our success.”

Obbema becomes the first HSU player to capture Pitcher of the Year honors since Hall-of-Famer Lizzy Prescott accomplished the feat in back-to-back seasons in 2007 and 2008. The Morgan Hills, Calif., product ranks second in the CCAA with 20 wins and a 1.38 ERA. Obemma has earned all-conference honors and has compiled 20-plus win seasons in all four years in the Green and Gold. The senior was named to the 2016 Tournament of Champions All-Tournament team and added her name to the event’s record book with a 0.00 ERA in two starts. She is one of 25 finalists for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Player of the Year award.

“Katie is a senior and she’s paid her dues,” said Sarchett. “I am so happy she was able to finish strong as a senior. She helped us reach the National Championship her freshman year and hopefully again this year.”

Holland had a record-setting sophomore season. The Oakdale, Calif., native stole a program record 62 bases and compiled a conference-best .440 batting average. She also leads the CCAA in on-base percentage (.539) and runs per game (1.02). The sophomore was tabbed the Tournament of Champions MVP and has been named the conference Player of the Week three times. Holland is also a NFCA Player of the Year finalist, and she was honored as the National Player of the Week earlier this season.

“Hanna is a blue chip ballplayer,” said Sarchett. “She can put the pressure on with the bat and on the bases. I am happy to see her have a standout year, and I look forward to two more years with her.”

In her junior season, Williams became arguably the league’s most dominating pitcher. The pitcher from Brentwood, Calif., was No. 1 in a number of conference pitching categories including victories (21), ERA (1.26), shutouts (eight) and strikeouts per seven innings (9.5). She was honored as the CCAA Pitcher of the Week three times and was a member of the Tournament of Champions All-Tournament Team. Williams is the third Lumberjack finalist for the NFCA’s National Player of the Year award. She was also the program’s first pitcher since Prescott in 2008 to record 200 or more strikeouts in a single season.

“Maddie has improved leaps and bounds since last year,” said Sarchett. “She has such great confidence and has taken ownership of every start this season.”

For the third consecutive season, Hollingsworth was honored as the conference’s top second baseman. The junior struck fear in opposing pitchers and anchored the middle of the Jacks lineup. She batted .361, swatted 11 home runs and drove in a conference-high 53 RBI. Hollingsworth was twice named the conference Player of the Week, and the San Leandro, Calif., native leads the CCAA in slugging percentage (.681), home runs per game (.22) and RBI per game (1.08).

“She is one of the scariest hitters in the league,” said Sarchett. “Tiffany never settles for average. She is tough, and it is great to see her come back from a knee injury.”

Harris provided a reliable bat and outstanding leadership for the Jacks. The Rocklin, Calif., product batted .263, drove in 15 runs and hit a pair of home runs. Opposing batters stole just 11 bases with Harris behind the plate, and she compiled a .995 fielding percentage, which ranks third in the conference. 

“She is a constant behind the plate,” said Sarchett. “I am really happy with her this season. I am so happy all of her hard work has paid off.”

Chavez earned All-CCAA honors for the first time in her HSU career behind strong fielding numbers at one of the game’s most difficult positions.  She has a .920 fielding percentage, a .254 batting average and a team-high 94 assists. The Anaheim, Calif., native was also a base-stealing threat and added five stolen bases in six attempts.

“I am really happy for Cyndi. Sometimes shortstops can be overlooked and seen just as a defensive player,” said Sarchett. “She has made a name for herself. She has been able to contribute with both her bat and glove this year.”

During her junior campaign, Bejaran proved that she was one of the conference’s toughest hitters. The first baseman from Ceres, Calif., is second on the team with 34 RBI and ninth in the CCAA and has a .310 batting average to go with eight home runs. Her home run total ranks fifth in the conference.

“I am so happy for her. She is not a first baseman, but she is actually a natural born catcher,” said Sarchett. “For her to take over the reins at first base and do what she had done with it, shows what kind of an athlete she is.”

Pena added to her collection of conference awards with Honorable Mention honors. She was third on the team in batting average (.338), hit six home runs and drove in 32 runs. The power-hitting third baseman was named to the All-CCAA Second Team last season and the First Team in 2014.

“She is battling injuries and staying strong,” said Sarchett. “She fights day in and day out, and she continues to produce for this team.”

The Jacks face UC San Diego in the first round of the CCAA Tournament held at Arnaiz Stadium in Stockton, Calif., on Friday, April 29, at 3 p.m.  Fans are encouraged to visit HSULumberjacks.com for links to live video, stats and audio. HSU’s CCAA Tournament games will also be streamed live on Facebook.com/HSUJacks.

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