Marietta College announces Softball places six on All-Oac team
From March 16, 2023 post.
WESTERVILLE, Ohio — Six Marietta College Pioneers were named to the 2023 All-Ohio Athletic Conference Softball Team announced Monday (May 15) morning by the league office. In voting by the OAC softball coaches, Jess Brown (Brookville, Ohio/Brookville), Rachel Kazmirski (Colliers, W.Va./Brooke), Jillian Middleton (Marietta, Ohio/Marietta), and Camryn Campbell (Mansfield, Ohio/Lexington) were all named to the first team. Taylor Watts (Galloway, Ohio/West Jefferson) named to the second team and Haylee Mott (Kinsman, Ohio/Badger) earned honorable mention recognition.
"I am so proud of all of these players," said Marietta Head Softball Coach Jenn Castle. "They have all been difference makers for our program."
Kazmirski had another standout season for Marietta. The Pioneers' pitcher/first baseman lead the team and the Ohio Athletic Conference in batting average (.496) and runs batted in (51). She was also just one homer away from an OAC triple crown, placing seconds with 12 home runs. The junior also led the team with 54 hits and a .647 slugging percentage on the way to earning her second OAC post season honor.
"Rachel has been a great player her whole career at Marietta, but this year she just went off," said Coach Castle. "Rachel is a workhorse and we appreciate everything she has done for us. Her ability to score runs and get on base for Jess and Jillian behind her is something that we have counted on all year. Having those three in the middle of the lineup doesn't give teams too much wiggle room."
Brown, a three-time first-team honoree, drove in 37 runs on the season, good for third place in the conference. The junior third baseman was also third in the conference with 13 doubles.
"Jess is such a presence at the plate," said Coach Castle. "She swings big and she goes hard all of time. She can hit the long ball, but she can also hit that tough ground ball up the middle. Even though she had not played a lot in the field up to this year, she made it a goal to play third base. She really stepped up and played great. Her arm strength keeps teams from wanting to bunt and play the short game all of the time."
Middleton played well in the circle for the Pioneers as she collected 11 victories on the season, striking out 58 batter in 88.2 innings pitched. She also had 18 extra-base hits and drove in 29 runs as a hitter.
"We ask Jillian to do a lot of different things," said Coach Castle. "Just like Rachel, we ask her to pitch, we ask her to play first base, we ask her to be in the lineup all of time. Jillian is such a competitor at the plate. The better the pitching, the better Jillian is going to hit."
Camryn Campbell (Mansfield, Ohio/Lexington) made an immediate impact for the Pioneers in her freshman campaign. A first-time honoree, Camryn was in the top ten in the conference in runs (28), batting average (.377), and stolen bases (10).
"I've been so proud and so pleased with Cam," said Coach Castle. "To step in as a freshman, in the two-hole, she never batted an eye. She just did what she is good at doing; putting the ball in play and getting on base. Cam is a pleasure to coach. Having her in the lineup has made us a completely different team."
Watts earned her first OAC post season honor. The senior also played nearly flawless defense this season, only committing three errors in 2023. She was also great at getting on base as she was third in the OAC in with 18 walks.
"Taylor is one of the hardest workers that we have ever had in this program," said Coach Castle. "In a pressure situation, I want her up to the plate because I know she will find a way to get on base or score a run. On top of her offense, she's made some incredible catches in the outfield. Not much falls to the ground with her and Cam out there."
Mott earned her third varsity letter as Marietta's starting second baseman. The senior was fifth on the team with 35 hits. She also only committed three errors on the season for a .977 fielding average.
"Haylee has been such a consistent player," said Coach Castle. "She's not flashy, but she gets the job done. Not many things are going to get past her at second base. She's deceptive in the batter's box. Teams don't see her as a threat and will pitch around Jess to get to her. She puts the ball in play and gives us a chance to put runs on the board.
On Monday, Marietta (24-15) received the news that they were included in the field of 62 teams competing in the 2023 NCAA Division III softball Championship and that they will be a regional host site for the opening round. The Pioneers will face No.2 seed Pfeiffer University in the opening round on Thursday (May 18) at 2 p.m. at Marietta Field.
Original post can be found here.