Peyton, Norton, Sowders Receive All-Conference Awards; 8 Bearcats to Scholar-Athlete Team

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The 2024 All-River States Conference Softball Teams & Awards were announced Thursday afternoon during an awards ceremony at Little Creek Park between games on the opening day of the RSC Softball Championship. The 12 RSC softball head coaches voted on the all-conference awards. The All-RSC First, Second, & Third Teams were selected this year along with the RSC Softball Player, Pitcher, Freshman, and Coach of the Year. Also recognized were the RSC Softball Champions of Character Team and the RSC Softball Scholar-Athlete Team. . The RSC Softball Champions of Character Team featured one member from each team, as nominated by their head coach, for best displaying the NAIA's five-character values of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership, and sportsmanship. The RSC Softball Scholar-Athlete Team honored those with a 3.25 GPA or higher who have been at their school for at least two semesters. 

Lindsey Peyton was named to the All-RSC Third Team as an infielder. At first base, she held a .989 fielding percantage with 243 putouts. The senior had the fifth best batting average on the team with .259 hitting in the leadoff spot for majority of the season. She racked up a team leading 8 doubles, 11 RBIs, 2 homeruns, and 42 total bases. Peyton was also named to the Scholar Athlete Team for her performance in the classroom. 

In her freshman campaign, Maddie Norton landed on the All-RSC Third Team as an outfielder. Despite starting the season as a shortstop, Norton quickly found her way into the grass and remained their until the end. In her 34 games, she led the team in batting average with a .315 average. As a centerfielder, she held a .897 fielding percentage gathering 39 putouts. 

Kaylyn Sowders, the second baseman for the Bearcats, earned the 2024 Champion of Character Award in her farewell season. She held a .276 batting average hitting clean up with 32 total bases and 11 RBIs. She played and started in 38 of the 39 games this season in the middle infield where she held a .925 fielding percentage. Along with her work out on the field, she also worked in the classroom grabbing a spot on the Scholar-Athlete Team.

Six other Bearcats were also named to the Scholar-Athlete Team this spring: Courtney Peyton, Hannah Hailey, Mikah Goeppner, Raini Gerometta, Savannah Jones, and Zoe Smithson.

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