Oskaloosa–Outfielders Kodee Johnson (Jr., Stockton, Calif., General Mathematics) and Chyanne Koko (So., Waianae, Hawaii, Physical Education) concluded their 2016 softball campaigns by being named to the all-Heart of America Athletic Conference teams which were announced Friday.
Johnson was one of 17 second-team selections, while Koko, who is also a pitcher, earned one of the nine honorable mentions. A total of 18 other individuals also garnered first-team recognition.
The awards are the first for both players who led William Penn (19-32, 6-16 Heart) this spring.
Johnson paced WPU with a .340 batting average (51-for-150), including eight doubles and one triple. She scored a team-best 31 times and drove in 14 runs. The junior had a .407 slugging percentage and, courtesy of five walks and five hit-by-pitches, owned a .381 on-base percentage. Johnson, who stole four bases, tallied a 14-game hitting streak early in the season.
Koko hit .309 on the season (43-for-139) with team bests in doubles (11), triples (2), and home runs (3). Her 21 RBIs also ranked first for the Statesmen, while the sophomore’s 21 runs ranked high as well. She posted a .482 slugging percentage and a .366 on-base clip (12 walks, one hit-by-pitch). Koko managed an eight-game hitting streak this year.
While she was not honored in the circle, one would be remiss not to include her pitching stats. The sophomore southpaw was 5-12 with a 3.36 Earned Run Average. She worked 123 innings (26 games, eight complete games), striking out 49 and walking 30; opponents hit .276 against her.
Lauren Geringer of Central Methodist was named Heart Player of the Year, while Claudia Farrell of Grand View and Katie Ricklefs of Benedictine shared the Pitcher of the Year laurel. Freshman of the Year honors went to Culver-Stockton’s Cassie Burris, while Evangel’s Kyra Parker earned Newcomer of the Year accolades. CMU’s Pat Reardon was tabbed by his peers as Heart Coach of the Year.
To view the complete all-Heart teams, go to http://www.heartofamericaconference.com/d/2015-16/2016%20All%20Conference%20Softball%20Teams.pdf
Story provided by Wade Steinlage
