EIGHT NORTHEAST SOFTBALL PLAYERS HONORED BY ICCAC

AMES, Iowa – The Northeast Community College softball team had eight players receive postseason awards, it was announced by the ICCAC Wednesday. Five sophomores were named Honorable Mention All-Region as catcher Morgan Kleinschmit (Wausa, Neb.), pitcher Emilee Spitz (Columbus, Neb.), infielder Abby Balfour (Nebraska City, Neb.), infielder Alexis Folks (Arvada, Colo.), outfielder Mia Eickhoff (Redondo Beach, Calif.) and utility player Josie Knust (Plattsmouth, Neb.) all made the list. Two freshmen were recognized as pitcher Tara Koch (Norfolk, Neb.) and infielder Ahdriana Medrano (Grand Island, Neb.) were both named Honorable Mention All-Region as well.

Balfour, Folks, Knust and Spitz all were also named Honorable Mention All-Region in 2022. Kleinschmit blasted two home runs and collected 11 RBIs as the primary catcher for the Hawks in 2023. Spitz started 24 contests for Northeast with 116.2 innings pitched and recorded 84 strikeouts during the campaign. Balfour hit for a .331 batting average during her third season in a Hawks uniform and picked up 29 RBIs. Folks hit .415, which was top-20 in the conference. She also led the team in doubles and had an on-base percentage of .532. Eickhoff tied Folks for the most home runs on the squad with six, had 26 RBIs and stolen seven bases. Knust started one matchup for Northeast as a pitcher in the circle but appeared 26 times in relief and had a .250 batting average in the Hawks lineup with four home runs. Koch was the Northeast starting pitcher in 21 appearances and had nine complete games, seven wins, 109.1 innings pitched and 82 strikeouts. Medrano competed in 44 games and scored 20 runs for the Hawks with a .429 on-base percentage.

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