The Iowa Lakes Community College softball team had four student-athletes that were named to the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) Division II Softball All-Region team.
Myla Murphy, outfielder, was named to the ICCAC 2nd Team. Abby Burgess, catcher, Taylor Larson, infield, and Alayna Leighton, infield, were all selected for the ICCAC All-Region Honorable Mention team.
Murphy, a freshman from Graettinger, Iowa, finished the year with a .320 batting average and a .442 on-base percentage. She compiled 41 hits, 31 runs scored, and 7 runs batted in. Murphy drew 22 walks and was hit by 6 pitches (8th in ICCAC). Murphy finished second in the ICCAC in stolen bases with 36 on the year.
Burgess, a freshman from Saskatchewan, Canada, appeared in every game for the Lakers this season. She finished her freshman year with a .336 batting average, a .483 on-base percentage, and .799 slugging percentage. She had 45 hits, including 9 doubles, 4 triples (2nd in ICCAC), and 15 homeruns (4th in ICCAC). Burgess has 48 runs scored and 46 runs batted in from the leadoff position. She is 4th in the ICCAC in walks (30) and 5th in hit by pitches (8). Burgess has also stolen 33 bases (3rd in ICCAC) and only been thrown out once all season.
Larson, a freshman from Blair, Nebraska, has appeared in 48 games in her first season as a Laker. She has a team high batting average of .344 with a .469 on-base percentage and a .641 slugging percentage. Larson has compiled 44 hits, including 8 doubles and 10 homeruns. She has crossed the plate 40 times while driving in 40 of her teammates as well. Larson has drawn 30 walks, which is tied for 4th in the conference. Larson has committed just 7 errors on the season defensively and has also pitched 136.2 innings for the Lakers.
Leighton, a freshman from Stewartville, Minnesota, made a tremendous transition from the outfield to the infield this season. She has made many plays laterally that only elite softball players make. Leighton batted .274 from the left side this season. She has 26 hits, including 5 doubles as a slapper. She has stolen 13 bases and drawn 15 walks. Leighton has scored 21 runs and drove in 8 of her teammates.
"I am very proud of each of these four young women. As freshman playing in a very tough conference, they have stepped up for this team. Each of them have continued to improve throughout the season and it will be really fun to see what they can do next year as sophomores." Commented King.
Photo ID: Headshots of Myla Murphy, Abby Buress, Taylor Larson, and Alayna Leighton attached.
MEDIA: For more information, please contact Head Softball Coach, Katie King at (712) 362-8367 or the Iowa Lakes sports information office at (712) 362-7928.