MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (April 22, 2015) â€" Led by All-Conference second team honorees Jessica Connatser, Meghan Nicol and Jessica Wheelock, the Milligan College softball team earned 10 Appalachian Athletic Conference postseason awards, as announced by the league office during the annual awards banquet Monday night.
 
The All-Conference trio was joined in the acknowledgements by Caroline Testerman to the All-Defense team, Amanda Dunaway to the Champions of Character team, and Lindsey Keys, Samantha Mahala, Kimberly Robinson, Emilee Rogers and Natalie Sheffey to the All-Academic team.
 
Nicol went through the regular season with a 2.42 ERA, fifth-best in the AAC, inside the circle along with a .313 average at the dish. Nicol was 6-6 in 12 starts (18 pitching appearances) and tossed three complete games. She struck out 49 while walking only 14.
 
Among regular starters, Nicol was third on the team in overall batting, trailing Sheffey (.346) and Connatser (.338). Sheffey drove in 22 runs, hit nine doubles and four triples, and drew nine walks, all team-most marks.  She also scored 17 times which was one short of Connatser's team-leading 18.
 
Testerman's recognition to the All-Defense team, which followed a Gold Glove she received at the end of last season, was highlighted by a perfect defensive effort this season. Testerman recorded 33 putouts and six assists in 39 chances.
 
To be eligible for the academic award, each individual must maintain a grade-point average of 3.25 or higher and must have sophomore or higher academic standing.
 
Reinhardt's Randi Wimpy was named the AAC Player of the Year for the second year in a row, and Bryan's Kaitie Sims was the Pitcher of the Year.
 
Milligan faced Sims and the Lions in a losing effort in the opening round of the conference tournament Tuesday afternoon. The loss moved the Buffaloes to the loser's bracket where they will face Truett-McConnell College Wednesday at 1 p.m.