Three Pride softball players earn Heart All Conference Honors

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Before the offseason work begins, three Clarke University Pride softball players were awarded Heart of America All-Conference honors Friday afternoon.

Those individuals were shortstop Daija Bates (Second Team), centerfielder Lily King (Second Team), and Designated Player Elizabeth Leverton (Honorable Mention). All three of whom were 2022 Heart of America All-Conference Honorable Mentions.

Bates, a junior from Des Moines, Iowa had her best statistical season from the plate playing in 44 games with a slash line of .325/.404/.460 including 11 extra-base hits, three of which were homers, and 21 RBIs. From her shortstop position, she made 65 putouts and made a career-low 12 errors to finish with a fielding percentage of .920.

King, also an Iowa native from Ankeny, played in 45 games and as the Pride's speedy leadoff hitter slashed .386/.447/.484, while achieving team-highs in runs (41) and stolen bases (18). After only hitting four extra-base hits in 2022, King improved that number in 2023 to 13. In the field, she was just as consistent, if not more so as she secured 105 putouts and made only five errors on the year, helping her achieve a fielding percentage of .956.

Leverton, an East Peoria, Ill. native completed her junior season playing in 43 games, mostly from the DP slot, finished third on the team in RBIs with 17 while slashing .307/.338/.321. In the 43 games, she managed to get 43 hits, two of which were extra-base hits, and she scored 14 runs.

The Pride softball team will now head into the offseason looking to improve upon their 13-32 2023 record.