ARLINGTON, Texas – As the 2023 softball season drew to a close this past weekend, the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) announced its annual All-Conference Award winners Monday, with two Aggies finding themselves among those selected.
Kayla Bowen and Riley Carley were the Aggies’ two lone selections for this year’s awards. Bowen landed her name on the All-WAC First Team and All-Defensive Team lists, while Carley finds herself on the All-WAC Second Team.
The pair of sluggers dominated the batter’s box over the course of the regular season, but it’s their numbers in conference play that really jump out. In 24 conference games, Bowen slashed a line of .468/1.065/.539 with 36 hits, 13 home runs, seven doubles and 28 RBIs while drawing nine walks to just ten strikeouts. The fifth-year senior finished the season top-ten in the WAC in doubles per game (3rd), home runs (tied 4th), home runs per game (5th), runs per game (4th), slugging percentage (1st) and total bases (2nd).
In the same number of conference games, Carley produced a hitting line of .372/.949/.539 with 29 hits, 14 home runs, three doubles and 23 RBIs while drawing nine walks to just seven strikeouts. She finished her year top-ten in the WAC for home runs (tied 2nd), home runs per game (tied 1st), slugging percentage (4th) and total bases (4th).
For Bowen, this marks the first time she’s been named to the All-WAC First Team and All-Defensive Team lists. Last season, Bowen found herself on the All-WAC Second Team following a standout 2022 campaign where she slashed .369/.656/.420 with 59 hits, 11 home runs, 13 doubles and 41 RBIs. For Carley, this is the first time she’s been voted for an All-WAC Postseason Award.
2023 WAC Softball Awards
Player of the Year
Shea Clements, Sr., C/OF, Utah Tech
Pitcher of the Year
Kate Dolinski, Grad, RHP, Utah Tech
Freshman of the Year
Tanya Windle, OF, Utah Tech
Defensive Player of the Year
Kinsey Koeltzow, Sr., C, Grand Canyon
Coach of the Year
Randy Simkins, Utah Tech
All-WAC First Team
Hannah Burnett, Grand Canyon
Katelyn Dunckel, Grand Canyon
Kristin Fifield, Grand Canyon
Meghan Golden, Grand Canyon
Ramsay Lopez, Grand Canyon
Kayla Bowen, NM State
Tai Wilson, Seattle U
Mackenzie Bennett, Stephen F. Austin
Brooke Gainous, Stephen F. Austin
Shea Clements, Utah Tech
Kate Dolinski, Utah Tech
Hannah Hughbanks, Utah Tech
Tanya Windle, Utah Tech
All-WAC Second Team
Priscilla Estrada, California Baptist
Ariel Thompson, Grand Canyon
Riley Carley, NM State
Brailey Wasik, Sam Houston
Jocelynn De La Cruz, Seattle U
Emily Gonzalez, Southern Utah
Gaby Garcia, Stephen F. Austin
Kelci Hill, Tarleton
Katy Schaefer, Tarleton
Marley Neises, UT Arlington
Lauren Almeida, Utah Tech
Sauren Garton, Utah Tech
Megan Gibbs, Utah Valley
WAC All-Defensive Team
Mercedes Eichelberger, Abilene Christian
Katelyn Dunckel, Grand Canyon
Kristin Fifield, Grand Canyon
Kinsey Koeltzow, Grand Canyon
Kayla Bowen, NM State
Lily Garcia, Seattle U
Madison Kahwaty, Seattle U
Gaby Garcia, Seattle U
Lauren Almeida, Utah Tech
Hannah Hughbanks, Utah Tech
