Transy’s Mitchell and DeArk Win Top HCAC Softball Awards

GREENWOOD, IN – Transylvania University's Megan Mitchell (W. Lafayette, Ind./Wm. Henry Harrison) and Kendra DeArk (Jeffersonville, Ind./H.S.) have been named Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively.

Mitchell, a sophomore third baseman for the Pioneers, guided her team to a 15-1 record during the HCAC softball regular season to capture the conference championship. She was the leader of the Transylvania offensive effort all season long and hit a conference-best 11 home runs in league play.  Mitchell set new HCAC records with a .629 batting average, 27 runs scored, and 11 home runs during league play this spring.  She also led the league in RBI (28), slugging percentage (1.629), on-base percentage (.772), and walks (21).  For the season, Mitchell ranks top ten nationally in slugging percentage (1.091), home runs (17), and on-base percentage (.609).

DeArk, a senior pitcher for the Pioneers, was outstanding in the circle this year. She helped lead Transylvania to the HCAC tournament before falling to Anderson 2-0 in an elimination game.  She posted a 7-1 record against conference opponents this season.  The senior recorded a 0.78 earned run average by allowing just five earned runs in 45.0 innings of work.  DeArk struck out 46 opponents during the conference season and notched four complete games.

Overall for Transylvania this year, DeArk sported a 2.13 earned run average and 8-7 overall record. She threw 95.1 innings and struck out 110 hitters. She was named HCAC Softball Pitcher of the Week twice this year and helped the Pioneers to a 23-13-1 overall record.

The HCAC has also awarded the Freshman of the Year award to Anderson's Katie Lee (Anderson, Ind./Highland).  Lee hit .526 during conference play this season, while scoring 16 runs.  She drove in seven RBI and added four doubles for the Ravens during league play as a rookie.

Anderson head coach Tony Holloway has been named Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Holloway, in his fourth season as head coach at Anderson, has led the Ravens to a 28-13 mark and a 12-4 record in the HCAC this season, including the HCAC tournament championship. This award is the first 'Coach of the Year' honor for Holloway while in charge at AU.

The Ravens open NCAA regional play against top ranked Linfield in Pella, Iowa Thursday morning.

Most Valuable Player: Megan Mitchell, Transylvania University

Pitcher of the Year: Kendra DeArk, Transylvania University

Freshman of the Year: Katie Lee, Anderson University

Coach of the Year: Tony Holloway, Anderson University

First Team All-HCAC

Second Team All-HCAC