Edwards, Denson and Anderson Earn All-Conference Accolades
5/7/2024 12:19:00 PM | Softball
TULSA, Okla. – Tulsa softball seniors Imani Edwards and MacKenzie Denson were named to the All-American Athletic Conference Second Team, and freshman Anneca Anderson was selected to the All-Rookie team, the league announced Tuesday.
"With a new look for the American Athletic Conference, there are so many good players across all the teams, it is truly an honor to be recognized for your talents," Tulsa head coach Crissy Strimple said. "We are so proud of Imani, Mackenzie, and Anneca for being recognized on the All-AAC Teams. Imani and Mackenzie have been a key part of our success this year, and Anneca earning the all-rookie nod sets the tone for an exciting career."
A shortstop out of Tomball, Texas, Edwards picked up her third career conference accolade after first team honors last season and an all-rookie team selection in her freshman campaign. The shortstop batted .373 on the season, fifth best in the conference. She was one of the toughest players in the nation to strike out, striking out just seven times in 166 at-bats. Her 23.7 at-bats per strikeout ranked 41st nationally. Edwards finished the season with five triples, second most in conference and 24th in the NCAA, five home runs, seven doubles, 33 driven in, a team-high 42 runs scored and 15 stolen bases.
Denson picked up her second The American Second Team honor in as many years with the Golden Hurricane. The left fielder from Mansfield, Texas led the team and was fourth in The American with a .380 batting average. She was the best on the team and third best in the AAC in moving people over, recording seven sacrifice bunts. Denson was dangerous on the basepaths herself, recording 12 steals. The senior finished the regular season tied for second on the team with 34 runs scored, posted six doubles and two triples and committed just one error in left field.
In her first season with the Golden Hurricane, Anderson made an immediate impact. The Shawnee, Okla. native made 22 appearances with 14 starts, posting eight wins and a 3.80 ERA over 84.2 innings of work. Anderson held opponents to a .207 batting average, the lowest among the team's pitchers. In conference play, she was even harder to get a hit off, as The American teams batted just .170 on the freshman. She tossed two complete game one-hitters and threw a no-hitter in her final home start of the regular season against UTSA. On the year, Anderson fanned 79 batters while allowing 63 hits.
Player of the Year
CC Wong, Wichita State
Defensive Players of the Year
Lexi Winters, Charlotte
Kathy Garcia-Soto, South Florida
Pitcher of the Year
Georgeanna Barefoot, Charlotte
Rookie of the Year
Kiley Channell, Florida Atlantic
Coaching Staff of the Year
Florida Atlantic
First Team All-Conference
P - Georgeanna Barefoot, Charlotte
P - Ainsley Lambert, Florida Atlantic
P - Skylar Savage, North Texas
C - Kate de Leon, Florida Atlantic
1B - Arianna Rodi, Charlotte
2B - Mikayla Smith, North Texas
SS - Taylor Sedlacek, Wichita State
3B - Ella Chancey, Charlotte
OF - Kamryn Jackson, Florida Atlantic
OF - Presley Leebrick, Florida Atlantic
OF - Addison Barnard, Wichita State*
DP/U/P - Trinity Schlotterbeck, Florida Atlantic*
DP/U/Non-P - CC Wong, Wichita State*
Second Team All-Conference
P - Sam Gress, Charlotte
P - Payton Dixon, South Florida
C - Taylor Jensen, UTSA
1B - Morgan Johnson, East Carolina
2B - Cori Hoffler, Charlotte
SS - Imani Edwards, Tulsa
3B - Jesiana Mora, Florida Atlantic
OF - Bella Wiggins, UAB
OF - Emma Jackson, East Carolina
OF - MacKenzie Denson, Tulsa
DP/U/Non-P - Taylor Woodring, East Carolina
All-Rookie Team
Hannah Dorsett, INF, UAB
Olivia Williams, OF, Charlotte
Taylor Apple, P, East Carolina
Kiley Channell, SS, Florida Atlantic
Anneca Anderson, P, Tulsa
Chloe Barber, P, Wichita State
*denotes unanimous selection
"With a new look for the American Athletic Conference, there are so many good players across all the teams, it is truly an honor to be recognized for your talents," Tulsa head coach Crissy Strimple said. "We are so proud of Imani, Mackenzie, and Anneca for being recognized on the All-AAC Teams. Imani and Mackenzie have been a key part of our success this year, and Anneca earning the all-rookie nod sets the tone for an exciting career."
A shortstop out of Tomball, Texas, Edwards picked up her third career conference accolade after first team honors last season and an all-rookie team selection in her freshman campaign. The shortstop batted .373 on the season, fifth best in the conference. She was one of the toughest players in the nation to strike out, striking out just seven times in 166 at-bats. Her 23.7 at-bats per strikeout ranked 41st nationally. Edwards finished the season with five triples, second most in conference and 24th in the NCAA, five home runs, seven doubles, 33 driven in, a team-high 42 runs scored and 15 stolen bases.
Denson picked up her second The American Second Team honor in as many years with the Golden Hurricane. The left fielder from Mansfield, Texas led the team and was fourth in The American with a .380 batting average. She was the best on the team and third best in the AAC in moving people over, recording seven sacrifice bunts. Denson was dangerous on the basepaths herself, recording 12 steals. The senior finished the regular season tied for second on the team with 34 runs scored, posted six doubles and two triples and committed just one error in left field.
In her first season with the Golden Hurricane, Anderson made an immediate impact. The Shawnee, Okla. native made 22 appearances with 14 starts, posting eight wins and a 3.80 ERA over 84.2 innings of work. Anderson held opponents to a .207 batting average, the lowest among the team's pitchers. In conference play, she was even harder to get a hit off, as The American teams batted just .170 on the freshman. She tossed two complete game one-hitters and threw a no-hitter in her final home start of the regular season against UTSA. On the year, Anderson fanned 79 batters while allowing 63 hits.
Player of the Year
CC Wong, Wichita State
Defensive Players of the Year
Lexi Winters, Charlotte
Kathy Garcia-Soto, South Florida
Pitcher of the Year
Georgeanna Barefoot, Charlotte
Rookie of the Year
Kiley Channell, Florida Atlantic
Coaching Staff of the Year
Florida Atlantic
First Team All-Conference
P - Georgeanna Barefoot, Charlotte
P - Ainsley Lambert, Florida Atlantic
P - Skylar Savage, North Texas
C - Kate de Leon, Florida Atlantic
1B - Arianna Rodi, Charlotte
2B - Mikayla Smith, North Texas
SS - Taylor Sedlacek, Wichita State
3B - Ella Chancey, Charlotte
OF - Kamryn Jackson, Florida Atlantic
OF - Presley Leebrick, Florida Atlantic
OF - Addison Barnard, Wichita State*
DP/U/P - Trinity Schlotterbeck, Florida Atlantic*
DP/U/Non-P - CC Wong, Wichita State*
Second Team All-Conference
P - Sam Gress, Charlotte
P - Payton Dixon, South Florida
C - Taylor Jensen, UTSA
1B - Morgan Johnson, East Carolina
2B - Cori Hoffler, Charlotte
SS - Imani Edwards, Tulsa
3B - Jesiana Mora, Florida Atlantic
OF - Bella Wiggins, UAB
OF - Emma Jackson, East Carolina
OF - MacKenzie Denson, Tulsa
DP/U/Non-P - Taylor Woodring, East Carolina
All-Rookie Team
Hannah Dorsett, INF, UAB
Olivia Williams, OF, Charlotte
Taylor Apple, P, East Carolina
Kiley Channell, SS, Florida Atlantic
Anneca Anderson, P, Tulsa
Chloe Barber, P, Wichita State
*denotes unanimous selection
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, June 17
Monday, February 02
Friday, February 28
Friday, February 28