Kansas City, Mo. - The Heart of America Athletic Conference announced its 2021 softball all-conference team and superlative award winners on day one of the conference tournament in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The awards were loaded with Eagles, as nine players were named either first, second, or honorable mention all-conference.
Highlighting the group was the trio of Kelli Gorman, Keighlan Cronin, and Micaela Harcrow. Gorman was tabbed as the Heart Player of the Year, while Cronin shared pitcher of the year honors with Grand View's Hannah Pals. Harcrow was named the Heart Freshman of the Year, and all three Eagles' earned all-conference first team honors as did junior pitcher, Madison Love.
Gorman currently leads the league with 78 RBIs on the season and leads the nation in four statistical categories: home runs per game (.420), home runs (21), total bases (153), and total RBIs.
Cronin currently leads the league with a 1.01 ERA while boasting a 26-2 record in the circle. The St. Charles, Mo. native broke the school record for single season strikeouts and is currently tied for the most single season wins in team history.
Harcrow rounded out the list of major award winners after being tabbed as the Heart Freshman of the Year for her breakout season. She has totaled 30 RBIs, nine doubles, and 56 hits thus far with a .444 batting average and .958 fielding percentage.
Love was the final Eagle named first team all-conference after compiling an oustanding record of 22-3 and an earned run average of 1.79. She has tossed 24 compete games including 11 shutouts. Love is currently ranked No. 8 in the nation in wins.
Four Eagles landed on the second team, as Hannah Criswell, Kelena Oots, Madison White, and Morgan Willis collected honors.
Criswell currently boasts a .320 batting average and has collected 32 hits including 11 doubles and two home runs. She has also driven in 28 runs and finishes the regular season with a .985 fielding percentage.
Oots made an immediate impact as Central's primary centerfielder, tallying a .371 batting average, and picking up 65 hits including six doubles and four triples. She ranks No. 6 in the nation in total runs scored (56).
White started every game for CMU at shortstop, batting .340 and finishing fourth on the team in hits (51) and doubles (13). She also drove in 37 runners and drew 30 walks, good for second on the team.
Willis was the final player to earn Second Team All-Heart honors, as the senior from Carrollton, Mo. appeared in all 53 games and finished the year with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. She is currently ranked No. 15 in the nation in total runs scored (51).
Kiser was named Honorable Mention All-Conference after appearing in 52 games and batting .322 with 47 hits, eight doubles, four home runs.
The Eagles have hit several notable milestone this season, claiming their highest national ranking in program history at No. 4. They also broke the program record for single season wins (49) with today's Heart tournament victory over Culver-Stockton College.
Central looks to claim win No. 50 with a matchup against Baker University Friday, May 7 at 2:30 p.m. on day two of the conference tournament in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
To view the complete list of Heart Softball award winners and all-conference teams, please click here.
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