Three Royals named All-ODAC in softball

Three EMU softball women have earned spots on the All-ODAC Team, which was announced this morning by the league office. Juniors Sydney Reath (Williamsburg, Va./Mercersburg Academy) and Tiffani Shaheen(Fluvanna, Va./Fluvanna County) earned spots on the All-State Second Team, while Kelsi Martin (Buena Vista, Va./Parry McCluer) earns an All-ODAC Third Team honor in her first campaign.

Reath was named All-ODAC Second Team as a utility player. She was First Team as a utility player in her sophomore year and Second Team in her rookie season. As a junior, Reath split her time as the pitcher, first baseman or designated player. In the circle, she earned a record of 5-8 with one save in 94.0 innings. At the plate, she hit .297 with one homerun and 23 runs, and notched team highs with 28 RBIs and 18 doubles. In her third season with EMU, she holds EMU records for doubles in a season, as well as doubles in a career (42).

Shaheen wrapped up a stellar junior season by locking up a spot on the All-ODAC Second Team as an outfielder. After missing her sophomore season with an injury, she returned to the starting spot in centerfield and hit either first or second in the batting order. In 149 plate appearances, she hit .364, which was highest on the team, with 47 hits, 27 runs, 15 RBIs and 26 stolen bases. The stolen bases were the highest single season total of any player in Coach J.D. McCurdy’s 15 years, and were third in the conference this season.

In her first year with the Royals, Martin was voted to the All-ODAC Third Team as she filled multiple roles, mainly as pitcher and designated player. As a pitcher, she earned a record of 11-6 with one save in 110.0 innings pitched. She also finished her inaugural season with 51 strikeouts and two shutouts. In her 75 plate appearances, she hit .318 with 21 hits, 13 RBIs, and eight runs. She added five doubles, one triple, and one homerun.

The Eastern Mennonite women finished with a record of 21-19, making it to the final four teams in the ODAC Tournament before being eliminated by the defending national champions, Virginia Wesleyan.