University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Bears Pace Big Sky Conference in Yearly Awards
5/7/2024 3:47:00 PM | Softball
FARMINGTON, Utah - Northern Colorado collected or earned a share of four of the five Big Sky Conference individual awards and placed a school record and league-high six across the All-Big Sky Conference First and Second Teams, league officials announced Wednesday.
Amailee Morales, a sophomore from Surprise, Arizona, shared the Big Sky Player of the Year – the first Bear to win the award – and a unanimous All-Big Sky First Team selection after starting all 47 games for the Bears.
"Amailee acts like an upperclassman at the plate," head coach Dedeanne Pendleton-Helm said. "She is both calm and confident. She has had an amazing year and I am so proud of her."
She hit .333 (46-138), including a team-high 21 doubles, 11 home runs, 31 runs scored and 51 RBIs. Her 21 doubles and 51 runs-batted-in led the conference, ranking fourth and 31 nationally, respectively.
Erin Caviness, a senior from Thorton, Colorado, became the first pitcher in program history to claim the Big Sky Pitcher of the Year award. She joined Morales and Lauren Strathearn on the All-Big Sky First Team.
"Erin has had a fantastic season and has been so steady and solid for us on the mound," Pendleton-Helm said. "I am so proud of her not only for her performance this season but her leadership for our team."
She recorded the first perfect game in program history in the Bears' 1-0 victory over UC Santa Barbara Feb. 23. Caviness posted a 15-7 record, with a 2.26 ERA, striking out 157 batters in 142 and 1/3 innings. She appeared in 25 games, starting 21, tossing 17 complete games, with eight shutouts and a pair of saves.
Dedeann Pendleton-Helm collected the Big Sky Coach of the Year award, with a unanimous vote, the second coach claim the award since joining the Big Sky and the first since Shana Easley took home the accolade in 2014.
"It is such an honor to receive this recognition by a vote from your peers," Pendleton-Helm said. "I am grateful and humbled."
She led UNC to a 24-23 record, the third-highest winning percentage in a season and one win shy of the third most victories in a single season in program history. Her Bears followed up last season's conference tournament championship by winning the 2024 Big Sky Regular-Season Title and the number one seed in this week's conference championship.
"I recognize that none of this could happen with the work of just one person.," Pendleton said. "I cannot thank my staff and this team enough for their hard work, dedication and love for each other. This is as much their award as it is mine."
Strathearn garnered All-Big Sky First Team selection after appearing in 29 games, starting 26 and hitting .376 (32-85). She scored 21 runs and drove in 10, with nine stolen bases on the season.
"Lo is such a tough out at the plate and has been an amazing lead-off for our team," Pendleton-Helm said. "She brought great leadership to the outfield and our team and I am so proud of her."
Nya Chacon netted a spot on the All-Big Sky Conference Second Team after hitting .317 (39-123), with eight doubles, a triple and six home runs. She drove in 25 and scored 20 runs.
"Nya is a fighter," Pendleton-Helm said. "She is completely dedicated and went to the plate every at-bat with determination. I am so proud of what she has accomplished this year."
Ella Gonzales led UNC with a .348 (47-135) batting average and collected an All-Big Sky Second Team selection. She totaled 16 doubles and two home runs, driving in 27 runs and scoring 15.
"Ella has been so consistent for this team all year, both at the plate and as a teammate," Pendleton-Helm said. "She is so steady and I could not be prouder of her."
Sabrina Javorsky hit .282, starting all 44 games she appeared in and earned a spot on the All-Big Sky Second Team. She tallied eight doubles, two triples and a home run, scoring 12 runs and driving in 23.
"Javo helps our pitchers every day," Pendleton-Helm said. "Our pitching staff would not have had the same success without Javo behind the plate. I am so proud of her accomplishments this year."
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2024 Big Sky Softball Individual Award Winners
Co-Players of the Year:Â Amailee Morales, Northern Colorado/Lewa Day, Sacramento State
Pitcher of the Year:Â Erin Caviness, Northern Colorado
Freshman of the Year: Lorraine Alo, Portland State
Top Newcomer:Â Grace Kimball, Portland State
Coach of the Year:Â Dedeann Pendleton-Helm, Northern Colorado*
* - unanimous selectionÂ
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First Team All-Big Sky
Catcher:Â Olivia Robinson, Idaho State*
First Base:Â Amailee Morales, Northern Colorado*
Second Base:Â Maddie Thompson, Portland State*
Shortstop:Â Riley Peschek, Montana
Third Base:Â Lewa Day, Sacramento State*
Outfield:Â Gracie Smith, Idaho State*
Outfield:Â Alexis Parish, Sacramento State
Outfield:Â Lauren Strathearn, Northern Colorado
Pitcher:Â Marissa Bertuccio, Sacramento State
Pitcher:Â Erin Caviness, Northern Colorado
Pitcher/UTL:Â Caroline Evans, Sacramento State*
Non-Pitcher/UTL:Â Lorraine Alo, Portland State*
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* - unanimous first-team selectionÂ
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Second Team All-Big Sky
Catcher:Â Sabrina Javorsky, Northern Colorado
First Base:Â Angelica Cano, Idaho State
Second Base:Â Makayla Donahoo, Weber State
Shortstop:Â Gwen Ludwig, Sacramento State
Third Base:Â Abby Grundy, Weber State
Outfield:Â Presley Jantzi, Montana
Outfield:Â Nya Chacon, Northern Colorado
Outfield:Â Alyssa Yee, Idaho State
Pitcher:Â Grace Kimball, Portland State
Pitcher:Â Marley Goluskin, Idaho State
Non-Pitcher/UTL:Â Ella Gonzales, Northern Colorado
Â
All-Big Sky Honorable Mention^
Catcher:Â Paetynn Lopez, Portland State
First Base:Â Emily Johansen, Portland State
Second Base:Â Skyler Sethman, Idaho State
Second Base:Â Malissa George, Sacramento State
Shortstop:Â Camryn McDonald, Idaho State
Shortstop:Â Taegan Smith, Weber State
Third Base:Â Paige Simpson, Idaho State
Third Base:Â Natalia Martinez, Portland State
Outfield:Â Haley Hanson, Sacramento State
Outfield:Â Mia Rushton, Weber State
Non-Pitcher/UTL:Â Kiaira Smith, Weber State
Â
^ - Must receive at least three votes
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Amailee Morales, a sophomore from Surprise, Arizona, shared the Big Sky Player of the Year – the first Bear to win the award – and a unanimous All-Big Sky First Team selection after starting all 47 games for the Bears.
"Amailee acts like an upperclassman at the plate," head coach Dedeanne Pendleton-Helm said. "She is both calm and confident. She has had an amazing year and I am so proud of her."
She hit .333 (46-138), including a team-high 21 doubles, 11 home runs, 31 runs scored and 51 RBIs. Her 21 doubles and 51 runs-batted-in led the conference, ranking fourth and 31 nationally, respectively.
Erin Caviness, a senior from Thorton, Colorado, became the first pitcher in program history to claim the Big Sky Pitcher of the Year award. She joined Morales and Lauren Strathearn on the All-Big Sky First Team.
"Erin has had a fantastic season and has been so steady and solid for us on the mound," Pendleton-Helm said. "I am so proud of her not only for her performance this season but her leadership for our team."
She recorded the first perfect game in program history in the Bears' 1-0 victory over UC Santa Barbara Feb. 23. Caviness posted a 15-7 record, with a 2.26 ERA, striking out 157 batters in 142 and 1/3 innings. She appeared in 25 games, starting 21, tossing 17 complete games, with eight shutouts and a pair of saves.
Dedeann Pendleton-Helm collected the Big Sky Coach of the Year award, with a unanimous vote, the second coach claim the award since joining the Big Sky and the first since Shana Easley took home the accolade in 2014.
"It is such an honor to receive this recognition by a vote from your peers," Pendleton-Helm said. "I am grateful and humbled."
She led UNC to a 24-23 record, the third-highest winning percentage in a season and one win shy of the third most victories in a single season in program history. Her Bears followed up last season's conference tournament championship by winning the 2024 Big Sky Regular-Season Title and the number one seed in this week's conference championship.
"I recognize that none of this could happen with the work of just one person.," Pendleton said. "I cannot thank my staff and this team enough for their hard work, dedication and love for each other. This is as much their award as it is mine."
Strathearn garnered All-Big Sky First Team selection after appearing in 29 games, starting 26 and hitting .376 (32-85). She scored 21 runs and drove in 10, with nine stolen bases on the season.
"Lo is such a tough out at the plate and has been an amazing lead-off for our team," Pendleton-Helm said. "She brought great leadership to the outfield and our team and I am so proud of her."
Nya Chacon netted a spot on the All-Big Sky Conference Second Team after hitting .317 (39-123), with eight doubles, a triple and six home runs. She drove in 25 and scored 20 runs.
"Nya is a fighter," Pendleton-Helm said. "She is completely dedicated and went to the plate every at-bat with determination. I am so proud of what she has accomplished this year."
Ella Gonzales led UNC with a .348 (47-135) batting average and collected an All-Big Sky Second Team selection. She totaled 16 doubles and two home runs, driving in 27 runs and scoring 15.
"Ella has been so consistent for this team all year, both at the plate and as a teammate," Pendleton-Helm said. "She is so steady and I could not be prouder of her."
Sabrina Javorsky hit .282, starting all 44 games she appeared in and earned a spot on the All-Big Sky Second Team. She tallied eight doubles, two triples and a home run, scoring 12 runs and driving in 23.
"Javo helps our pitchers every day," Pendleton-Helm said. "Our pitching staff would not have had the same success without Javo behind the plate. I am so proud of her accomplishments this year."
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2024 Big Sky Softball Individual Award Winners
Co-Players of the Year:Â Amailee Morales, Northern Colorado/Lewa Day, Sacramento State
Pitcher of the Year:Â Erin Caviness, Northern Colorado
Freshman of the Year: Lorraine Alo, Portland State
Top Newcomer:Â Grace Kimball, Portland State
Coach of the Year:Â Dedeann Pendleton-Helm, Northern Colorado*
* - unanimous selectionÂ
Â
First Team All-Big Sky
Catcher:Â Olivia Robinson, Idaho State*
First Base:Â Amailee Morales, Northern Colorado*
Second Base:Â Maddie Thompson, Portland State*
Shortstop:Â Riley Peschek, Montana
Third Base:Â Lewa Day, Sacramento State*
Outfield:Â Gracie Smith, Idaho State*
Outfield:Â Alexis Parish, Sacramento State
Outfield:Â Lauren Strathearn, Northern Colorado
Pitcher:Â Marissa Bertuccio, Sacramento State
Pitcher:Â Erin Caviness, Northern Colorado
Pitcher/UTL:Â Caroline Evans, Sacramento State*
Non-Pitcher/UTL:Â Lorraine Alo, Portland State*
Â
* - unanimous first-team selectionÂ
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Second Team All-Big Sky
Catcher:Â Sabrina Javorsky, Northern Colorado
First Base:Â Angelica Cano, Idaho State
Second Base:Â Makayla Donahoo, Weber State
Shortstop:Â Gwen Ludwig, Sacramento State
Third Base:Â Abby Grundy, Weber State
Outfield:Â Presley Jantzi, Montana
Outfield:Â Nya Chacon, Northern Colorado
Outfield:Â Alyssa Yee, Idaho State
Pitcher:Â Grace Kimball, Portland State
Pitcher:Â Marley Goluskin, Idaho State
Non-Pitcher/UTL:Â Ella Gonzales, Northern Colorado
Â
All-Big Sky Honorable Mention^
Catcher:Â Paetynn Lopez, Portland State
First Base:Â Emily Johansen, Portland State
Second Base:Â Skyler Sethman, Idaho State
Second Base:Â Malissa George, Sacramento State
Shortstop:Â Camryn McDonald, Idaho State
Shortstop:Â Taegan Smith, Weber State
Third Base:Â Paige Simpson, Idaho State
Third Base:Â Natalia Martinez, Portland State
Outfield:Â Haley Hanson, Sacramento State
Outfield:Â Mia Rushton, Weber State
Non-Pitcher/UTL:Â Kiaira Smith, Weber State
Â
^ - Must receive at least three votes
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Players Mentioned
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