Kansas City, Mo. - A trio of Central Methodist softball players were tabbed as NAIA All-Americans by the national office Wednesday.
Madison White landed on the first team, while Keighlan Cronin earned second-team honors. Mykala Johnico also earned an honorable mention nod.
White is a First Team All-America selection for the first time in her young career. The sophomore shortstop from Columbia, Mo. was named the Heart Player of the Year in only her second season with Central. She led the team in numerous offensive categories in 2022 including; home runs (15), doubles (16), hits (67), RBI (51), batting average (.438), and slugging percentage (.837). White was named the Heart Player of the Week on April 18 after recording a .632 batting average, with 10 RBI, four doubles, and three home runs.
In addition, White was named to the NFCA NAIA Region V First Team. She becomes just the sixth First Team All-American in program history joining Kelli Gorman (2021 and 2019), Hannah Steeby (2018), Michele Rupard (2014), and Aubrey Utley (2014).
Cronin lands on the second team for the second-straight season. The senior pitcher served as Central's ace in 2022, tallying a 22-4 overall record which included 21 complete games. Through 168.1 innings of work, the native of St. Charles, Mo. racked up 194 total K's and a 1.33 earned run average. In addition, she tossed a perfect game against No. 24 Central Baptist College back on Feb. 12.
Cronin leaves the program as the career record holder in strikeouts (615), a two-time NFCA Region V First Team honoree, a three-time Heart First Team All-Conference selection, and the 2021 Heart Pitcher of the Year.
Johnico had a remarkable freshman campaign, posting a perfect 16-0 record through 17 appearances. She finished the year with a 1.34 earned run average including 170 strikeouts.
Johnico tossed three no-hitters and was twice named the Heart Pitcher of the Week. For her efforts this past spring, the native of Topeka, Kan. landed on the Heart All-Conference First Team and was named the Heart Freshman of the Year. In addition, Johnico was a finalist for the NFCA-NAIA Freshman of the Year award and joined White and Cronin on the NFCA Region V First Team.
To view the complete list of NAIA Softball All-Americans, please click here.
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