Selected via KJCCC Coaches, post-season awards for Division I Softball have been announced.
Leading the player selections is Allyson McDougal of Barton voted the KJCCC/Region VI Most Valuable Player with Hutchinson freshman pitcher Dakota Lake being named the Freshman of the Year.
The Coach of the Year honor was awarded to Colby Head Coach Steve Kinnett following his retirement of leading the Trojan program and service to the KJCCC.
Complete Division I All-KJCCC/Region VI Selections
Most Valuable Player: Allyson McDougal (Barton)
McDougal ranked in the top five of most offensive statistics in the KJCCC, leading the league with 61 hits and 48 runs scored in the 32-games while ranking second in batting average (.565), on-base perrcentage (.595), and doubles (14). The freshman from Moore, Oklahoma, was also solid in right field for the Cougars with just one error in 42 chances (.979) in making a number of spectactular catches throughout the season helping Barton to a third place finish for its highest conference placing since 2017. A week six KJCCC Player of the Week award winner, McDougal also picked up the NJCAA distinction that week in the midst of her season best 16-game hitting streak.
Freshman of the Year: Dakota Lake (Hutchinson)
Lake dominated the conference circle this season in 62.0 innings with a miniscule 0.79 ERA. Making 23 appearances, the freshman from Des Moines, Iowa, posted a 7-1 league record with a save in striking out out 115 conference opponents for a 12.98 strikeout per seven innings while walking just 23 free passes and allowing just 7 earned runs. A five-time KJCCC Pitcher of the Week, Lake struck out ten or more batters ten times during the season including tying a career high 13 punch out in Hutchinson's home finale leading the Blue Dragons to a runner-up placing at 28-4 and a 41-9 overall record ranking in program top five history.
Coach of the Year: Steve Kinnett (Colby)
Leading the Colby program since 2013, Kinnett's retirement leaves a legacy in Trojan history of a .577 win percentage (313-229) in posting six 30-plus winning seasons. Named the 2019 KJCCC West Division Coach of the Year after leading the Trojans to its first regular season conference title, Kinnett's club also posted the nation's best grade point average that season. Capturing its second West Division title in 2021, Kinnett built Colby into a consistent contender while providing leadership to other coaches and guidance withing the KJCCC throughout his tenure.