Missouri Southern State University got some top recognition Tuesday evening when the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association released its end-of-season awards and all-conference teams.
The Lions took home Pitcher of the Year as Kiki Pickens repeated as the conference’s best. Emily Davis secured Freshman of the Year with her stingy performances in the circle against MIAA offenses. Head coach Hallie Blackney and her staff were named Coaching Staff of the Year.
Alongside Blackney in the dugout are pitching coach Lexi Kinnaird and graduate assistant Caitlyn Wells.
This marks consecutive seasons in which the Lions have won both pitcher and freshman of the year awards from the conference. Last year, Pickens was the best pitcher while Bailey Dillon received top freshman honors.
Pickens’ posted a 1.85 earned run average this season and a WHIP of .97. She was allowing less than one baserunner per inning for the second year in a row. The junior right-hander allowed 90 hits and walked 39 batters in 132 1/3 innings.
Davis finished with an ERA of 1.78 and a WHIP of 1.00. She walked 42 batters and surrendered 103 hits in 145 1/3 innings this season.
The last time the coaching staff was recognized was when Blackney was named coach of the year in 2021. The MIAA moved to the “coaching staff” award for the 2024 season.
Dillon didn’t go unnoticed this year. The left fielder was named a first-team all-conference outfielder on Tuesday.
Other first-team honors went to Davis, Pickens and Katie Gray. MSSU also received one second-team athlete and one third-team. Shortstop Taylor Nuckolls was on the second team and third baseman Carsen Tinkler was on third team.
Gold Glove recipients were Davis and Nuckolls. Maddie Rolfs received honorable mention for the Lions.
