GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) released its 2022 All-MAC Commonwealth Softball Team on Tuesday morning as the Messiah softball team was well-represented. Senior pitcher
Madison Walter headlined the posting, earning MAC Commonwealth Pitcher of the Year, claiming her second-consecutive First Team nod. Utility player
Lydia Collison received a Second Team accolade as
Hannah Dyer earned herself an Honorable Mention in her first year as a Falcon.
Walter becomes just the fourth different player in Messiah softball history to be honored with Rookie of the Year. Walter had a conference-best 0.48 ERA, striking out the most batters (151). in the MAC Commonwealth. The senior pitcher was a durable presence in the circle for Messiah, totaling 138.0 innings pitched, including two 10-inning outings that resulted in wins. Walter's overall record of 14-6 was the most wins Walter earned in a single season in her career, striking out a career-high 15 batters in a 1-0, 10-inning battle with Stevenson University in the MAC Commonwealth Tournament. The senior pitcher tossed 18 complete games.
Collison also made notable contributions in the circle to earn her first All-MAC nod of her career. The sophomore tossed a total of 107.2 innings, striking out 100 batters while notching an ERA of 1.76. Collison's ERA of 1.76 is the third-best mark in the conference as she threw 11 complete games, earning nine wins. In addition to pitching, Collison made impacts at the dish, totaling 20 hits and four RBI.
Dyer, the Falcons' first-year shortstop, claimed an Honorable Mention behind a team-high 33 hits. The first-year hit safely in all of Messiah's first six contests, finishing the campaign with seven multi-hit performances. Dyer had a career-high three hits in a home win versus Albright College (Apr. 20). Dyer was stellar in the field as well, accumulating 65 putouts and 73 assists.
The Falcons won the MAC Commonwealth Championship on Sunday, earning an Automatic Qualifier to the 2022 NCAA Softball Championship. The Falcons travel to Newport News, Va., to take on Wilson College at 2:00 p.m. this Friday (May 13).
