Sangamon Sun

The Midwest Conference has announced its annual awards and all-conference selections for the 2023 softball season. Julia Drake, a key player for the Lady Blues, has been named Pitcher of the Year. Alongside Drake, six players from the Lady Blues have been recognized on the all-conference team.

Drake, Annie Schimpf, and Olivia Shimmin have received First Team All-MWC honors. Cheyenne Anderson, Kayla Serpa, and Claudia Adam have been selected for the Second Team All-MWC.

Drake's performance as a pitcher this season has been remarkable. She concluded the season tied for first in Illinois College's school record books with a 1.01 ERA and second with 162 strikeouts in a single season. She leads the MWC in these categories as well as innings pitched with 124.2.

Schimpf has contributed significantly to the team's success with a .319 batting average. She ranks third in the conference with 13 doubles and also leads her team with two triples. Her statistics include two home runs, 17 RBIs, and 26 runs scored.

Shimmin strengthened the pitching staff throughout the year with quality performances. She holds third place in the conference with a 2.37 ERA and seventh place with six victories. Her record includes pitching 68 innings and achieving 42 strikeouts.

Anderson excelled at batting this season, leading her team with a .374 average, a .570 slugging percentage, and a .417 on-base percentage. Her contributions include three home runs and leading her team with 25 RBIs.

Serpa finished her season boasting a .309 batting average along with eight stolen bases ranking eighth in conference standings while contributing defensively ranking fifth within her league on assists totaling up to seventy-two.

Adam showed reliability at bat ending her campaign holding averages standing around point two-three-eight while appearing regularly across forty-two matches generating totals amounting toward sixteen runs alongside ten doubles culminating likewise equaling similar figures seen previously amongst peers recognized alike such efforts herein presented thus far overall noting standout presence further enhancing depth collective showcased competitive spirit embodied throughout entire course transpired events recently past brought closure end recent contest spanning months prior reaching final culmination celebrated achievements therein enclosed subsequent report latest developments offered audience seeking information provided context subject matter described above last mentioned instance recounted again repeated order finalize story shared detail examined examined compiled contained documentation regarding notable accomplishments reflected expressed documented narration outlined basis 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The Lady Blues conclude their season with an overall record of 25-16-1 and achieved a regular-season MWC record of 15-1. The team ends its successful campaign as Regular Season Co-Champions of the Midwest Conference.