(Ann Arbor, MI) - The National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Midwest Region announced their Softball honors this week and several Concordia Cardinals were named to the First Team All-Region.
The Cardinals took down Geneva College twice this week to claim the Midwest Regional title and are looking to claim back-to-back NCCAA World Series titles next week in Kansas City.
The honors were highlighted by Emille Underwood who took home Regional Player of the Year,, while Head Coach Hailey Cavanagh earned Coach of the Year.
FIRST TEAM
EMILEE UNDERWOOD | FR | CHELSEA, MICHIGAN
Emilee Underwood takes home the Regional Player of the Year and is the second Cardinal to receive that honor. Underwood is tied for the lead in the NCCAA in wins with 17 and has recorded the second-lowest ERA at 1.87. She has also recorded 136 strikeouts this season.
SHANNON MCALINDEN | SR | RIVERVIEW, MICHIGAN
This is the fourth consecutive year Shannon McAlinden has been named to the All-Region team. McAlinden leads the NCCAA in hits on the year with 80 as the fourth-most RBIs with 49. She has collected 34 extra-base hits this season and has an on-base percentage of 0.484.
CASSIDY KANE | SR | WILLIS, MICHIGAN
Cassidy Kane is making her first appearance on an All-Region team. Kane has collected 58 hits on the season, which is tied for the 14th most in the NCCAA this season. She brought in 26 runners as well as having an on-base percentage of 0.436.
KATIE TOBIAS | SR | BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN
Another Cardinal appearing on the list in back-to-back years is Katie Tobias. Tobias recorded 53 RBIs this season, which is the second-most in the NCCAA this season. In addition, she has 58 hits on the season and an on-base percentage of 0.449.
PAYTON LEWIS | JR | VICKSBURG, MICHIGAN
Payton Lewis is making her third straight appearance on the All-Region is the Cardinal's junior shortstop. Lewis has collected 57 hits this season and scored 51 runs this year. She also has 16 stolen bases this season.
COACH OF THE YEAR
HAILEY CAVANAGH | 7TH SEASON
This is Coach Cavanagh's third time she has taken home Midwest Regional Coach of the Year after earning the honor in 2021 and 2023. Cavanagh has a 191-134 overall record in her seven years at CUAA.
