Sun Chief softball players commit to four-year universities

Coastalsunchiefs.com
Posted 7/7/20

BAY MINETTE, Ala.  - Six Sun Chiefs will continue to play softball as juniors and seniors after excelling on the diamond as well as in the classroom at Coastal Alabama Community College South in …

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Sun Chief softball players commit to four-year universities

Posted

BAY MINETTE, Ala.  - Six Sun Chiefs will continue to play softball as juniors and seniors after excelling on the diamond as well as in the classroom at Coastal Alabama Community College South in Bay Minette. After having the remainder of their sophomore seasons called due to COVID-19 pandemic safeguards, their performances as freshman and early second-spring players earned them opportunities to stay in the game at the NCAA level. Moving on up are: Alayna Adams, Mecolett Bradley, Kennedy Carruth, Kelsey Hodges, Dionne Templet and Danielle Williams.

Sun Chiefs head coach Mallory Radwitch said all six as well as her other sophomores moving on will be missed.

“I am beyond proud of what this group accomplished both on and off the field. This was a truly special group and I know all of them will do big things in life", she said. "All of our sophomores will be missed tremendously.”

Her other sophomore players and managers will also be moving on to their junior academic year.  They include: Skylar Crouch, Kamryn Keller, Kamryn Hearn, Elizabeth Franklin and Clara Leasck as well as sophomore managers Macy Jackson, Alex Blubaugh and Victoria Howard. All of her sophomores will be pursuing degrees next year at various institutions, Radwitch said.

SUN CHIEFS SET TO PLAY NEXT YEAR:

Danielle Williams a shortstop from Chalmette, La., will be continuing her education and playing career at one of the top Division II programs in the country, Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss. She will be studying to become an athletic trainer. In the 2019 season, she received the NFCA All American Scholar-Athlete honors and in the 2020 season, she received NJCAA Academic All-American Honors. She is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa.

"Williams is an extremely hard worker and even better teammate and I know she will continue to grow and thrive at MC," Radwitch said.

Williams commented on her time at Coastal:

 "My past two years at Coastal have been the most challenging and inspiring years yet,” she said. “I learned how to grow, overcome adversity, and create bonds with many people. My two years spent at Coastal made me a stronger player, student, and most importantly, a stronger person. Some of my favorite events were Family day and Halloween game for softball, the Luau and tours for Career Day. My most favorite memories were just hanging out with my teammates and other athletes in the lobby. We were truly one family!"

Kelsey Hodges an outfielder from Milton, FL will be continuing her education and playing career at another top Division II program in the country, the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Fla. "Hodges has a tremendous work ethic both in softball and in her academics, I know she will do big things in life she is very determined," Radwitch said.

Hodges will be majoring in Exercise Science and plans to attend PT school after to fulfill her dream of being a Physical Therapist. In the 2019 season, she received ACCC player of the week honors for the week of April 8th, she was a member of the ACCC All-South Team and a member of the ACCC All-Region Team. For her excellence in the classroom, she received NFCA All America Scholar-Athlete Honors. In the 2020 season, she received NJCAA Academic All American honors. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and she was on the President's List almost every semester while at Coastal. In the 2019 season, she finished with a .376 batting average, with 8 home runs, 48 RBI's, and a .962 fielding percentage. When the season was halted in 2020 she was hitting .368 with 3 HR and 16 RBI's.

"Choosing to play and attend Coastal Alabama CC - Bay Minette was easily one of the best decisions I've ever made,” Hodges said. “To be perfect is difficult but Coastal sure was close. Coach Radwitch gave me a chance when no one else would - and for that, I will be forever grateful. God couldn't have put me in a better softball program and school to grow both on and off the field.

“One of my favorite things while on the softball team would have to be dancing to music in the outfield on home game days and the cheering rallies we had in the dugouts. Making diving catches in the outfield and seeing everyone go crazy had to be one of the best feelings ever. I always looked forward to game days at home!" Hodges added.

Dionne Templet a first baseman from Gonzales, La., will be attending a top NAIA program at the University of Mobile. She will be pursuing a Kinesiology degree to become either an athletic trainer or PTA. Templet is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. During the 2020 season, she was batting .304 with 2 HR and 4 RBI's.

"She was really starting to get back into the swing of things after suffering an injury in the 2019 season and was seeing the ball well when our season came to a screeching halt. Templet was the ultimate chant leader and always brought energy to the team,” Radwitch said.

Templet commented on her time at Coastal: "My time at coastal was cut short due to COVID19, but I wouldn't have it any other way,” she said. “Coastal gave me my sisters for life and brought me to a coach that became just like a second mom to me. From the nights playing cards in the lobby to being on the field with my team.

“Every moment I cherish and I would give anything to be back at Coastal one last time with my team. Coastal gave me one more thing, my former roommate Mec, God knows I wouldn't have been able to make it out without her. She's the truest friend I've ever met in all my years.

“So, thank you Coastal for all the blessings you sent my way. And thank God for putting Coastal in my path and coach Mallory for giving me the opportunity and helping me in continuing my journey. I am very excited to start my new journey as a RAM, but being a Sun Chief will always hold a special place in my heart!"

Mecolett Bradley a first baseman from Marrero, La., will be attending a great Division II school Delta State University. Bradley batted .303 with 7 home runs and 45 RBI's in her freshmen season for the Chiefs and was batting .311 with 10 RBI's when the 2020 season ended abruptly. She received ACCC All-South Honors for her performance in the 2019 season. She also received NFCA All America Scholar-Athlete honors last year and NJCAA Academic All-American honors in her 2020 season. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa as well.

"Bradley was a great leader on our team, she worked hard and always helped those around her to get better,” Radwitch said. She was an awesome team player and I know she will do big things at the next level."

Kennedy Carruth a pitcher/third baseman from St. Francisville, La., will be attending a great Division III school Belhaven University. Carruth batted .312 with 6 home runs and 50 RBIs in her freshmen campaign and also had a 2.41 ERA in 154 innings pitched with a 16-10 record. In her 2020 season, she was batting .419 with 6 home runs and 27 RBI's and had a 2.05 ERA in 71.21 IP with a 9-3 record. In 2019 she received player of the week honors for the week of April 22 and she was a member of the ACCC All-South team.

“Carruth grew so much over these past two seasons. She is a competitor and hates to lose. I know she will do big things for Belhaven over the next few years, Radwitch said."

Carruth also received NFCA All America Scholar-Athlete Honors. In the 2020 season, she received player of the week honors for the week of Feb. 4. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa as well.

Alayna Adams a catcher from Walker, La., will be attending Division III Belhaven University as well. Adams caught the majority of innings over the past two seasons. She was batting .324 with 1 home run and 10 RBI's when the season ended this year.

 "Adams always worked hard and was not afraid to speak up, she was a great leader for our team the past two seasons. She will be a great asset for the Blazers", Radwitch said.

Radwitch added that all of her other sophomore players and managers will be pursuing degrees next year at various institutions.

Visit Coastalsunchiefs.com/sports for more updates.

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