The University of Akron Athletics
Seiler, Nicholas, and Piper Earn All-MAC Honors
May 10 | Softball
AKRON, Ohio – Three members of the University of Akron softball team earned All-Mid-American Conference selections and senior Erin Seiler (Bowling Green, Ohio) earned the prestigious Nan Harvey Award, announced Tuesday by the league.
Seiler along with junior catcher Alyssa Nicholas (Cortland, Ohio) were named to the All-MAC second team and freshman Lilli Piper (Norton, Ohio) received an All-MAC Freshman team honor.
The Zips ace and workhorse for the past four years was honored with the 2016 Nan Harvey Award. Seiler is a phenomenal student, athlete, and member of the University of Akron community. Seiler has carried the weight of her team, along with all of the pressure that it brings, for four solid years. Seiler has worked through injuries and illness each season, finally preparing herself to lead our team on the field to another MAC Championship berth this season, as well as in the classroom. She has immersed herself in campus life at while remaining active in various on-campus groups, particularly those related to marketing and sales where she is one of our top students in Akron's College of Business. On the field, she excelled for the Zips as well. Seiler was a three-time MAC Pitcher of the Week and posted a 25-win season in 2016. In a Mid-American Conference high 250 innings of work, Seiler recorded an impressive 1.76 ERA (second best in the MAC), and held the opposition to a .210 batting average (third in the MAC) while striking out 211 batters. Seiler was also voted in as 2016 Second Team All-MAC selection.
Nicholas was the signal caller behind the dish for the Zips in 2016. Nicholas started all 53 contests for Akron and recorded a team-high .311 batting average, .459 slugging percentage and .342 on base percentage. In 148 at-bats, Nicholas posted 46 hits, including 11 doubles, a triple and a home run and drove in 14 RBI. Nicholas is a threat on the base path stealing 24 bases on 25 attempts and has scored 27 runs. She has also recorded the second most sacrifice hits on the team with 12.
Since joining the team following the conclusion of the basketball season, Piper has seen a lot playing time during the tail end of the season. Piper has played in the Zips last 17 games of the season and made eight starts at second base and shortstop. In 37 at-bats, Piper has posted a .324 batting average with 12 hits including a pair of doubles and a home run. The freshman from Norton, Ohio has driven in five runs, scored eight runs, and totaled 17 bases. She owns a .459 slugging percentage and .342 on base percentage.
The 2016 MAC Softball Championship begins Wednesday at 10:30 AM ET at Akron's Firestone Stadium. The the No. 6 seed Akron Zips are set for a showdown with No. 3 Ohio at 6 p.m.
2016 Player of the Year
Taylor Shuey / Miami / Senior
2016 Pitcher of the Year
Savannah Jo Dorsey / Ohio / R-Junior
2016 Freshman of the Year
Alex Frenz / Northern Illinois
2016 Coach of the Year
Eric Oakley, Kent State
2016 Nan Harvey Award Winner
Erin Seiler / Akron / Senior
2016 All-MAC First Team
Savanna Norcio / Buffalo / Junior / UTL
Allison Curtis / Central Michigan / Freshman / OF
Michelle Kriegshauser / Eastern Michigan / Senior / OF
Maddy Grimm / Kent State / Junior / 3B
Ronnie Ladines / Kent State / Junior / P
Amber Logemann / Miami / Senior / P
Michaela Schlattman / Miami / Freshman / SS
Taylor Shuey / Miami / Senior / OF
Emily Naegele / Northern Illinois / Senior / C
Kayti Grable / Northern Illinois / Senior / 1B
Savannah Jo Dorsey / Ohio / Senior / P
Chandler Rice / Toledo / Junior / 2B
Sabrina Gamboa / Western Michigan / Senior / SS
Allyson Kus / Western Michigan / Senior / P
Melissa Palmer / Western Michigan / Senior / 2B
2016 All-MAC Second Team
Alyssa Nicholas / Akron / Junior / C
Erin Seiler / Akron / Senior / P
Maison Kalina / Central Michigan / Sophomore / C
CarolAnn Sexauer / Central Michigan / R-Senior / SS
Aoife Duffy / Eastern Michigan / Senior / C
Holly Speers / Kent State / Sophomore / SS
Lauren Anderson / Miami / R-Junior / UTL
Johniann Wahl / Miami / Freshman / 1B
Alex Frenz / Northern Illinois / Freshman / P
Kali Kossakowski / Northern Illinois / Junior / SS
Caitlyn Warren / Northern Illinois / Senior / OF
Morgan Geno / Ohio / Freshman / UTL
Taylor Saxton / Ohio / R-Sophomore / 2B
Danielle Stiene / Ohio / Sophomore / P
Jamie Wren / Ohio / Freshman / OF
Jessica Lemieux / Toledo / Senior / OF
Kelsea Cichocki / Western Michigan / Junior / 3B
2016 All-Freshman Team
Lilli Piper / Akron / UTL
Katie Weimer / Buffalo / C
Madison Lee / Ball State / UTL
Allison Curtis / Central Michigan / OF
Amanda Akles / Eastern Michigan / 3B
Michaela Schlattman / Miami / SS
Johniann Wahl / Miami / 1B
Alex Frenz / Northern Illinois / P
Morgan Geno / Ohio / UTL
Jamie Wren / Ohio / UTL
