Written By Rob Beckmann @Coach_Beckmann
Indy Pirates Softball was recognized this week with three KJCCC All-Conference nominations. Pitcher Mykala Johnico was named to the First Team, Catcher Kelly Baker was named to the Second Team, and First Baseman Emma Jones was awarded Honorable Mention.
"These are all just great kids," ICC Pirates Head Softball Coach Samantha Allen said. "Their stats really all speak for themselves."
Mykala Johnico leads the Jayhawk Conference in strike-outs by a wide margin with 244, which exceeds second place by more than 30. She is Top 5 in conference in multiple pitching categories, including ERA at 2.02 (3rd in KJCCC) and wins with 14 (4th). Johnico was named Conference Player of the Week earlier this season and has committed to Mid-America to continue her athletic and academic career.
"Mykala has the most arm talent that I have ever coached," Coach Allen commented.
Kelly Baker has been invaluable to the Pirates this season behind the plate and swinging the bat. She scored 29 runs, drove in 34 RBIs, and sported a batting average of .383. As a freshman last year, Baker was a Conference and NJCAA National Player of the Week. She plans to continue her playing career at a four-year school, but is still weighing her options.
"Kelly has the ability to make pitches look better than what they are and her bat will be very hard to replace," Coach Allen said. "Along with that, Kelly is also in student government, has great grades, and is an R.A. in the dorms."
Rounding out the Pirates' All-Conference nominations is Emma Jones. She scored 27 runs this season along with driving in 37 RBIs. She sports a .359 batting average.
"Emma is the heart of our line-up along with Kelly," Coach Allen said. "She also has excellent grades, does student government, works as a R.A., and will be continuing her playing career at MNU. She is a great kid on and off the field, but her ability to drive in runs is one of the reasons we have been successful this year."
The Pirates most recently defeated rival Coffeyville, 10-0 and 6-5, in back-to-back games. Indy was designated as the No. 8 seed heading into the playoffs, and upset No. 1 seed Cowley Tigers, 1-0, in the first game of the series.