BENTONVILLE, Ark.—The Great American Conference announced the 2023 softball awards on Wednesday night as seven Crimson Storm softball players earned honors, with three being recognized on the All-GAC teams.
Liana Heshiki led the way for Southern Nazarene as she captured her second straight All-GAC first-team selection. The sophomore from Hawaii put together a phenomenal season at the plate, hitting over .400 and roping 19 doubles. She finished the season third in the GAC in average, and second in doubles. She also led SNU with a .469 on-base percentage. Heshiki split time at first-base and catcher, giving her the utility nod for All-GAC First-Team.
Hailey Evans was another force for SNU at the dish. She led the conference with 13 home runs, 106 total bases, and 52 RBIs. Evans, a sophomore out of Deer Creek, earned an All-GAC Second-Team selection at third base.
SNU's third honoree on the All-GAC list was Emma Swearingen. She was an All-GAC Second-Team selection as a freshman last season, and was named an Honorable Mention at first base this season, despite missing a couple of weeks due to injury. Swearingen hit .324 with 8 doubles, 4 home runs, and 20 RBIs in 37 games played this season.
Four SNU softball athletes also earned accolades for their work in the classroom. McKayla Franks, Natalie Jones, Kennedy Sherer, and Sydney Sundbye each were named GAC Distinguished Scholar-Athletes.
SNU is set to take on GAC Regular Season Champions, Oklahoma Baptist, in the opening round of the GAC tournament on Thursday afternoon. The Crimson Storm enter the tournament as the No. 8 seed after finishing conference play with a 13-19 record. They will look to upset OBU in the quarterfinals and once again make their way to the semifinals on Friday afternoon. First pitch with OBU is set for 1:30 PM on Thursday afternoon at the Tiger Athletic Complex in Bentonville, Arkansas.
