Central Arkansas softball’s Harris, Griffin earn preseason accolades

31 Jan 2024 Central Arkansas softball’s Harris, Griffin earn preseason accolades

Posted at 9:59 PMh in Sports by 501 LIFE

ATLANTA, Ga. — With the softball season just around the corner, the Atlantic Sun Conference has released its Preseason All-Conference Team and superlatives, and the Bears were well represented. In addition to both players earning spots on the preseason team, Tremere Harris was named the ASUN’s Preseason Player of the Year, and Kylie Griffin was selected as the league’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

“I can’t say enough about the impact these two have had on our team. They’ve both been leaders since they’ve stepped on campus, and they’re very deserving of this,” head coach Jenny Parsons said. “We’re extremely lucky to have both of them and this season, we’ll go as far as they can take us.”

The honors come after both student-athletes were named to the conference’s First Team after last year’s historic 2023 season that saw Central Arkansas ranked for the first time in program history, winning the ASUN’s regular season and postseason championships, and earn a spot in the Tuscaloosa Regional, the first big dance for the Bears since 2015.

Harris, a unanimous selection, finished the season as both an NCFA All-Southeast Region and a First Team All-ASUN outfielder after another dynamite season. The Conway native led the team in runs scored (43) and triples (2), finished second on the team in batting average (.335), hits (58) and stolen bases (20), and ranked third on the team in doubles (12).

In league games, the senior was one of the best players in the ASUN, batting .429 in 77 at bats. Harris put down 33 hits, of which ten were for extra bases, and had an on base percentage of .527. The leadoff hitter also stole ten bases and drew 16 walks, striking out only seven times in 24 games.

“Tremere’s been a leader in the program since she got here, she’s been outstanding. She’s been such a great example of who to follow and what to do,” Parsons said of Harris. “Our culture is her, and a lot of the kids that have been here three, four years, they’re the standard setters.”

Griffin also earned First Team honors from the conference last year, making the leap from a talented freshman to one of the centerpieces of one of the greatest teams in Central Arkansas Athletics history. As a sophomore, Griffin led the team with a .347 average and 60 hits, collecting 11 extra base hits with 28 RBI. The third baseman also stole nine bases and drew 23 walks, reaching base at a .430 clip.

But the Greenbrier native was given the Defensive Player of the Year nod for her talents at third base, where she is one of the most exciting players in the country at the hot corner. Facing 112 fielding chances, Griffin committed just three errors, tallying 51 putouts and 59 assists. Her ability to cover ground in all directions makes it nearly impossible to get anything past her. In two seasons in Purple and Gray, the Bears have finished fourth (.981) and seventh (.979) in the country in fielding percentage.

“Kylie is not only one of the best players I’ve ever worked with, but one of the best people. Her willingness to come in and work every day sets such a good example for her teammates,” Parsons added. “Her defensive instincts are top-tier, she’s been great handling the responsibility that comes with playing third base from day one.”

Central Arkansas was also selected first in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll after winning the league last season. After finishing with just two losses in a 24-game slate, the Bears look to repeat as champions. But the challenge will certainly be at the forefront this season, returning just five players that gained on-field experience last season. Leadership from players like Harris and Griffin are going to be crucial for a team that brought on 16 new players. The Bears kick off the season on February 9th, facing Notre Dame and North Carolina Central in day one of the NFCA Leadoff Classic.

“It shows the respect we earned after last season, but we also recognize that it puts a target on our back,” said Parsons. “But the expectations we put on ourselves and where we want to be should help us prepare for this season. We’re excited and ready for the challenge.”

Preseason Player of the Year: Tremere Harris, Central Arkansas

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Kylie Griffin, Central Arkansas

Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Autumn Courtney, Queens

Preseason All-ASUN Team

Name Pos. School

Neely Peterson* C FGCU

Jordan Benefiel P Austin Peay

Autumn Courtney P Queens

Kylie Campbell IF Austin Peay

Kylie Griffin IF Central Arkansas

Madison Reynolds IF Jacksonville

Hailey Jones IF North Alabama