Arkansas sweeps SEC Softball Awards

The regular-season Southeastern Conference softball champions were well represented on the league’s season softball awards list.

The coach, player, and pitcher of the year in the SEC all reside in Fayetteville, as well as six first-team all-SEC members, the league announced Friday.

Head Coach Courtney Diefel takes home SEC Coach of the Year, while transfers Chenise Delce and KB Sides win SEC Pitcher and Player of the Year respectively. Six players were named all-SEC, with a seventh player named to the second team. Two athletes were also named to the all-defensive team as well.

It has been a season to remember for Arkansas, who won their second straight SEC regular-season crown, their first outright championship. The Razorbacks won all eight SEC series on the season, and finished the regular season with a 41-9 record.

Coach of the Year- Courtney Diefel

Arkansas batter Linnie Malkin (22) celebrates as she rounds third base after hitting a two run home run against Mississippi State during an NCAA softball game on Friday, March 26, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Diefel earns her second-straight SEC Coach of the Year award after leading the Razorbacks to their second-straight conference championship. In her 7th season as head coach, Diefel has taken Arkansas from a team that went 1-23 in SEC play, to a team that has won at least 40 games three times in five seasons.

Player of the Year- KB Sides

Arkansas Razorbacks outfielder KB Sides (8) runs home off of catcher Taylor Ellsworth’s (17) RBI double during the game against the Ole Miss Rebels at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, May 12, 2022. [Gabriella Whisler/Special to the Sun]
Ncaa Softball Arkansas Razorbacks Vs Ole Miss Rebels

Sides is having the best season of her career in 2022. The Alabama transfer has surpassed her career totals in total bases (116), home runs (12), RBI (38), and average (.401)

Pitcher of the Year- Chenise Delce

Arkansas pitcher Chenise Delce (7) throws a pitch against Western Illinois during an NCAA softball game on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Delce has been a perfect sidekick for Mary Haff in the circle. The transfer from Tulsa is currently 15-2 with a team-leading 149 strikeouts, 33 walks, 39 runs allowed and an ERA of 2.39 in 114.0 innings pitched.

Six First Team Selections

Arkansas Razorbacks utility Hannah Gammill (20) congratulates pitcher Mary Haff (4) on a strikeout against the Ole Miss Rebels at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, May 12, 2022. [Gabriella Whisler/Special to the Sun]
Ncaa Softball Arkansas Razorbacks Vs Ole Miss Rebels

• Chenise Delce

• KB Sides

• [autotag]Hannah Gammill[/autotag]

• [autotag]Linnie Malkin[/autotag]

• Mary Haff

• [autotag]Danielle Gibson[/autotag]

• [autotag]Hannah McEwen[/autotag], 2nd team

All Defensive Team

Arkansas infielder Danielle Gibson (41) against North Dakota St during an NCAA softball game on Thursday Feb. 25, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

• Danielle Gibson

• Hannah Gammill

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