All-Heartland Conference release
The Bluffton University softball team had three players recognized when the All-Heartland Conference awards were announced on Wednesday, May 8. Junior Caylin Morstadt (Delaware/Rutherford B. Hayes) secured Second Team honors while senior Kelsey Reeder (Galion/Northmor) was named Honorable Mention All-HCAC. The Heartland Conference also announced the All-Sportsmanship Team.
Morstadt had a breakout season for the Beavers while finding a home at shortstop in 2019. Her outstanding play both at the dish and in the field was rewarded with her first post-season Heartland Conference honor. She tied for league-high honors with 10 home runs this season (3rd on Bluffton's single-season list). Morstadt also tied for top honors in the HCAC with 34 RBI, while her 35 runs were tied for 2nd in the conference. She was also 2nd in the HCAC with 19 walks and a .745 slugging percentage which is 5th all-time at Bluffton. In just her first season as the starting shortstop, Morstadt tied Bluffton's single-season record with 116 assists. She finished 9th in the conference with a .373 batting average.
With the 10-homer season on her resume, Morstadt has moved into 5th place all-time at Bluffton with 16 career dingers. She is also 5th on the career list with a .586 slugging percentage. Morstadt is 12th with a .329 career batting average and 24 doubles, while her 63 RBI and 164 bases are 14th all-time.
Kelsey Reeder capped her career the way she started it, by being named Honorable Mention All-HCAC. A fixture at second base for the entirety of her career, Reeder has been the rock for a program that has seen four different leaders since she was recruited to Bluffton. She was phenomenal during her final 10 games, seeing her average skyrocket from .241 to .289 thanks to a .412 spurt that saw her go 14-of-34 with two doubles and a triple. Reeder finished the season with six doubles, three triples and 12 walks. She scored 21 runs and drove in 20 as a senior.
Reeder is tied for 2nd all-time with five career triples. She finished 8th on the career list with 441 at bats and 12th with 138 starts. Reeder stands 13th all-time with 127 hits and 16th with 73 runs scored. On the other side of the ball, Reeder is 8th with 241 assists, 15th with 285 putouts and 13th with 551 career chances.
In conjunction with the All-Heartland Conference awards, the conference has announced the All-HCAC Sportsmanship Team for 2019. This award has been developed as part of a conference-wide sportsmanship initiative. Members of the All-HCAC Sportsmanship team are selected by the coaches and their teammates as individuals who demonstrate the ideals of positive sportsmanship both on and off the field/court of competition. Sophomore Brianna Baker (Defiance/Ayersville) was recognized for her sportsmanship this season.
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