Four Vulcans Recognized in All-PacWest Softball Awards

The University of Hawai’i at Hilo women’s softball team had its season end abruptly, but the Vulcans got their fair share of awards in recognition of a strong season.

First baseman Emily Greene and outfielder Colleen Aubrey were both named to the All-PacWest Softball First Team. Seniors Vanessa Salinas and Melanie Morelos received Second Team honors.

Aubrey, a senior from Sunnyvale, Calif., finished fifth in the PacWest with a .425 batting average. She hit four home runs and drove in 26 runs. Her 68 hits were good for sixth best in the conference.

Greene, a senior from Woodland Hills, Calif., was sixth in the conference with nine home runs. She batted .375 with 38 runs batted in. Her RBI total was good for a tie for seventh among hitters in the PacWest. Greene also led her team with 10 stolen bases.

Salinas had a stellar season in the circle, complimented by her offensive infusion in the Vulcans’ batting order. The senior from Madera, Calif. was 18-8 on the season with a 1.98 earned run average, good for fourth in the conference. She logged 183 2/3 innings for the Vulcans, the second most in the league.

At the plate, Salinas provided a spark, hitting .323 with five home runs and 25 runs batted in. Most recently, she hit a two-run walkoff home run to give UH-Hilo a win over Hawai’i Pacific University in the final full game of the regular season.

Morelos, a senior utility player from Los Banos, Calif., batted .313 on the season with four home runs and 33 runs batted in.

Conference champion Dixie State took home most of the major hardware, including Pitcher of the Year (Michelle Duncan), Freshman of the Year (Janessa Bassett), and Coach of the Year (Randy Simkins).

2015 All-PacWest Softball Awards

First Team

Catcher – Madison Hernandez (Azusa Pacific)

First Base – Emily Greene (Hawai’i-Hilo)

Second Base – Nicole Chavez (Dixie State)

Third Base – Nicki Sprague (Azusa Pacific)

Shortstop – Toni Cardoza (Notre Dame de Namur)

Outfield – Janessa Bassett (Dixie State), Haily MacDonald (Academy of Art), Colleen Aubrey (Hawai’i-Hilo)

Pitcher – Michelle Duncan (Dixie State), Loie Kesterson (California Baptist)

Utility – Brooklyn Beardshear (Dixie State), Desiree Chavez (Azusa Pacific)

Second Team

Catcher – Marla Reiter (Dixie State)

First Base – Lyveana llayan (Holy Names)

Second Base – Catlyn Cavender (Dominican)

Third Base – Lizabelle Talataina (BYU-Hawai’i)

Shortstop – Josey Hartman (Dixie State)

Outfield – Alessandra Giannavola (Notre Dame de Namur), Courtney Hine (Dixie State), Deni Yandell (Holy Names)

Pitcher – Aryn Feickert (Dixie State), Kayla Hatch (California Baptist), Vanessa Salinas (Hawai’i-Hilo)

Utility – Samantha Klune (Academy of Art), Melanie Morelos (Hawai’i-Hilo)

Third Team

Catcher – Savannah Miller (California Baptist)

First Base – Mallory Paulson (Dixie State)

Second Base – Jacque Lopez (California Baptist)

Third Base – Dorian Acierto (Hawai’i Pacific)

Shortstop – Krista Mann (California Baptist)

Outfield – Toni Baysa (Hawai’i Pacific), Tayler Castro (California Baptist), Courtney Sherwin (Dixie State)

Pitcher – Narissa Garcia (Azusa Pacific), Brenna Mitchell (Academy of Art)

Utility – Katelyn Harden (Dominican), Nirana Singh (Academy of Art)

Player of the Year – Nicky Sprague (Azusa Pacific)

Pitcher of the Year – Michelle Duncan (Dixie State)

Defender of the Year – Dorian Acierto (Hawai’i Pacific)

Freshman of the Year – Janessa Bassett (Dixie State)

Newcomer of the Year – Loie Kesterson (California Baptist)

Coach of the Year – Randy Simkins (Dixie State)