Anderson 's Haines and Transy's DeArk Win Top HCAC Softball Awards

GREENWOOD , IN - Anderson University 's Chelsie Haines (Knightstown, Ind. /H.S.) and Transylvania University 's Kendra DeArk (Jeffersonville, Ind. /H.S.) have been named Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively.

Haines, a junior third baseman for the Ravens, guided her team to a 10-6 record during the HCAC softball regular season. She was a key to Anderson 's offensive attack and hit a league-high seven home runs in conference play. Haines ranked among the HCAC leaders in batting average (.469), on-base percentage (.527), slugging percentage (.980), total bases (48), and RBI (21). For the season, she hit .422 with 28 runs, 37 RBI, five doubles, and 12 home runs.

Anderson finished the season 23-17 overall and finished the HCAC regular season with a 10-6 record.

DeArk, a sophomore pitcher for the Pioneers, was outstanding in the circle this year. She helped lead Transy to the HCAC regular season title and the right to host the conference's tournament. She posted a 6-0 record against conference opponents this season. The sophomore recorded a 0.88 earned run average by allowing just five earned runs in 40.0 innings of work. DeArk struck out 24 opponents and had just seven walks.

Overall for Transylvania this year, DeArk sported a 1.17 earned run average and 14-7 overall record. She threw 144.0 innings and struck out 87 hitters. She was named HCAC Softball Pitcher of the Week twice this year and helped the Pioneers to a 27-12 overall record and 13-3 mark in HCAC play.

The HCAC has also awarded the Freshman of the Year award. Transylvania University 's Kaitlyn Kallenborn (Marshallville , Ohio /Smithville) was named the recipient after leading the Pioneers to the 2009 HCAC Championship. Kallenborn hit .357 with 13 RBI and four home runs during HCAC competition this spring. Overall this season, the freshman hit for a .253 average at the dish and also added 11 runs, three doubles, six home runs, and 18 RBI.

Transylvania 's head coach, Michelle Manning , has been named Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Manning, in her third season as head coach at Transylvania , led the Pioneers to a 27-12 mark and a 13-3 record in the HCAC this season, earning the regular season championship. This award is the first 'Coach of the Year' honor for Manning while in charge at Transy.

All-HCAC 

Second Team All-HCAC 

Honorable Mention