SSU SB receiving votes in NAIA Softball Coaches Preseason Top 25 Rating

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- In her first season as the head coach of the Shawnee State softball program, Kristen Bradshaw and her staff accomplished many program feats that hadn't been achieved in a long while.

When the Bears start the 2025 season, they'll sport another achievement in front of the Shawnee State nameplate.

Fresh off of a 36-11 season that included a River States Conference East Division Championship and a River States Conference Runner-Up showing, the Bears have received national attention and respect heading into the 2025 season as Shawnee State received five votes in the NAIA Softball Coaches Preseason Top 25 Rating, as announced by national officials from within the NAIA realm.

In obtaining its five points in the preseason rating, Shawnee State tied with former Mid-South Conference foe Campbellsville for the 39th most votes by any team in the country.

The Bears will return five out of its eight River States Conference honorees from last season, including two of its three First Team All-RSC recipients in Sierra Dunnagan and Mackenzie Hale.

Dunnagan finished the 2024 season hitting .423 and nabbing an .OPS (on-base-plus-slugging) of 1.034 as the now-sophomore nabbed 13 doubles, 14 walks, two home runs, and 45 RBI as a freshman -- with her walks and RBI all serving as team-leading statistics. The Wilton, Calif. native's 16 extra-base hits and 84 total bases were also team-best marks.

Hale, who hit .329, matched Dunnagan with 13 doubles and two home runs while driving in 39 runs herself. A senior from Winfield, W. Va., the first baseman tied Dunnagan for second on the SSU squad in doubles and was second on the Shawnee State roster in RBI. Defensively, Hale posted a .985 fielding percentage and was involved in five double-plays -- a team-best.

The third First Team All-RSC honoree -- four-year pitching starter and ace staffer Cassie Berry -- finished her playing eligibility, but will help the Bears as a graduate assistant in 2025.

Additionally, three of Shawnee State's four Second Team All-RSC honorees also return -- as leadoff hitter and outfield dynamo Jenna Christopher, senior infielder Bianca Belo-Diaz and junior utility player Lexie Lockwood all return to the roster.

Christopher, a junior, hit .352, stole a team-high 13 bases and also led Shawnee State with five triples while tying for the team lead with three home runs, while Belo-Diaz posted more walks (10) than strikeouts (six) at the plate. Lockwood, a graduate of Chillicothe Southeastern or otherwise commonly known as Southeastern Ross, posted a strong second half during the 2024 season and committed just one error in 43 defensive chances.

Key SSU veterans Brittani Wolfenbarker (Second Team All-RSC) and Lauren Spears (Third Team All-RSC) also finished their playing careers but leave behind, along with Berry, a strong leadership component with which to build on in future seasons.

Along with the above, Cameryn Davidson, Emma Wargel, Gracey McCullough, Haley Hawes, Hailee Bay, Zoey Johnson, Andi Webb, Genavie Espinoza and Mackensie Bailey all return, while Gabby McConnell, Kiera Williams, Emily Cheatham, Emily Moore, Bella Sorbilli, Sydney Skiver, Ashlee Spence, Keegan Uhl, Madison Franz and Karsyn Davis round out a 10-player recruiting class that is full of winning credentials from top-to-bottom.