The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the 2016 Softball All-America teams, selected by the NAIA All-America committee. The All-America teams are comprised of First Team, Second Team, and Honorable Mention selections.
Senior first baseman, Lacye Walker, vied for the Appalachian Athletic Conference Player of the Year as she was one of the top batters in the conference this season. After an impressive year pieced together by Walker, the NAIA recognized her as an All-American Honorable Mention for the 2016 season.
She led the AAC in a myriad of stats: a blistering .445 batting average (2nd), .710 slugging percentage (2nd), 34 runs scored (14th), 1.33 hits per game and 69 total hits (3rd), 38 RBIs (8th), 23 doubles (1st), 6 homeruns (6th), and a .506 on base percentage (3rd).
Her numbers ranked her nationally: 2nd in the NAIA in total doubles, 7th in doubles per game, and achieved top-50 in total hits, batting average, total bases, slugging percentage, and total putouts. Her efforts earned her All-Conference First Team and All-Defensive Team honors. Her discipline in the classroom gave way to All-Academic distinction, which is accomplished by having at least sophomore status and maintaining a cumulative grade-point average of 3.25 or higher.
Walker also received outside recognition by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association, who awarded her with TSWA Softball Player of the Week honors twice this season. She is the first Lion to receive more than one TSWA weekly honor in their career.
The Lady Lions battled their way to a 29-23 overall finish this year and posted a notable 16-4 record in conference action. On Mar. 22, Bryan displayed their skill as they topped fellow AAC foe, Reinhardt University (Ga.) 4-1, who eventually took the AAC regular season crown and closed the season ranked 14th in the nation. The Lions went on to upset No. 23 Brenau University (Ga.) 11-3 on Apr. 13 before the Tigers dropped from the top-25 list. Arguably the best performance came on Apr. 20 at home when Bryan outlasted No. 4 Campbellsville 5-1.