Pitcher Kristina George shares a moment with catcher Bailey Henderson Saturday following WNC's final home game April 30. George was named to the all-SWAC first team and Henderson was a second team choice.
In a history-making season for the Western Nevada College softball team, Kristina George made some more this week.
The WNC sophomore became the first WNC softball pitcher selected to the All-Scenic West Athletic Conference first team. Shortstop Makaylee Jaussi and outfielder Jennifer Quam previously made the first team as position players.
Besides George, the SWAC honored five Wildcats with inclusion on the second-team. Making the second team were third baseman Briauna Carter, first baseman Noa Talia, outfielder Kacie Freudenberger, catcher Bailey Henderson and outfielder Dakota Robinson.
“These young ladies have worked so hard to improve through the offseason and have been productive for us all year,” said WNC coach Leah Wentworth. “I was excited to see that all of their hard work was recognized by the other coaches in the conference.”
George has produced the most successful pitching numbers in program history, compiling a 14-7 record and 3.18 earned run average. The workhorse starter completed 15 games, threw more than 160 innings and limited her free passes to 49.
Carter caught fire in the latter part of the season and didn’t let up. She hit .296 with three homers and 34 runs scored. Unlike many power hitters, Carter only fanned 13 times in 115 at-bats while earning a team-leading 24 walks.
Hitting from the No. 2 spot, Henderson often ignited the Wildcat offense, batting a team-leading .345. The sophomore catcher hit a team-best 11 doubles, knocked in 36 runs and struck out 15 times in 148 at-bats.
Freudenberger settled into the cleanup spot, hitting a team-high seven home runs and knocking in a team-best 38 runs during the regular season. But power numbers were only half of Freudenberger’s game as she hit .328.
Talia become one of the most feared hitters in WNC’s potent lineup. She hit .337 with six doubles, four homers and 25 RBI.
Robinson saved her best hitting for last, heating up when the games mattered most. During the Wildcats’ three-game sweep of College of Southern Nevada to conclude the regular season, she hit three homers and knocked in 12 runs. She finished with a .327 average, five homers and eight doubles.
