4 Knights softball players receive SSAC honors

April 29, 2015

Tucker Sargent,

GULF SHORES, Alabama (MGSC ATHLETICS) – The Knights softball team had four members receive awards from the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) on Wednesday night. Hannah Twilley (SO/Screven, GA) and Ashley Cavender (SR/Villa Rica, GA) were named to the first team All-Conference while Morgan Barton (SO/Appling, GA) and Blakelyn Bundick (SO/Eastman, GA) both were named to the SSAC All-Academic team.

Hannah Twilley played thirdbase and catcher early in the season but took over shortstop late in the season with an injury to Kayla Bawkin (JR/Hoboken, GA). Twilley led the team in homeruns with 15 ranking her 1st in the SSAC, 11th in the NAIA while her.786 slugging percentage ranked 1st in the SSAC and 31st in the nation. She batted .397 on the season which tied her for 3rd in the SSAC, 52 hits tied for 6th, Over the past two seasons, Knights fans have been treated to some of the longest home runs by Twilley including one at an estimated 310 feet (112 feet past the fence) in the final game of the season.

Ashley Cavender played secondbase and pitcher for the Knights. The senior finished 8th in the SSAC in batting average (.386) and slugging percentage (.630). She tied for 13th in homeruns in the conference with 5, 16th in runs scored (27), and 12th in hits (49). Cavender was second on the team in wins with 6 in 123.0 innings and 80 strikeouts on the season.

Morgan Barton and Blakelyn Bundick each were named to the SSAC All-Academic team. The requirements for this award are sophomore or higher standing and 3.25 or higher GPA. Bundick is a sophomore outfielder who spent the majority of the season in right field for the Knights and was tied for second on the team with 5 homeruns, 3rd with 19 RBI, and 4th in hits with 28. Barton played 25 games for the Knights at catcher having a .323 on base percentage.

The Knights finished the season this past Sunday splitting a doubleheader with Brenau University to finish the season at 13-29 in the first year as members of the NAIA and 9-18 record in the SSAC.