Division I Softball Recognizes 2021's Best

The ICCAC announced their All-Region selections for Division I Softball on Friday. Leading the way on the First Team with five selections was Indian Hills. Southwestern had four players selected with Southeastern having three. Iowa Western had two selections and a Marshalltown selection rounded out the team of 15.

Indian Hills finished the regular season with a 37-11 record. They went 29-9 in conference play and finished with the best record at the Division I level in the ICCAC. With the best record comes the most players announced to the All-Region team. 

Slugger Nicole Bellis was selected not only to the All-Region First Team but was named the ICCAC Player of the Year. She led the conference with 94 RBI on the season. With a .469 batting average she also finished in fifth position conference wide for the batting title. The freshman outfielder had a great season and had the best individual week as a hitter in late March with five home runs and 27 RBI in a six-game stretch.

Fellow Warrior infielder Bryanna Mehaffy was named the Defensive Player of the Year. The shortstop made plays all over the infield recording 81 assists, turning two double plays, and finishing with a .925 fielding percentage.

She had a bat as well, hitting .483 with a 1.069 OPS. She stole 37 bases and scored 72 runs, third most in the ICCAC in each category.

Of the Southwestern players selected to First Team, Katilyn Schad was recognized as the Offensive Player of the Year. The sophomore had a .488 BA (highest in Division I) and of her 83 hits, 12 of them were home runs. Schad drove in 83 and scored 48 times herself. Thanks to great hitting and knowing the strike zone, Schad was able to have an OPS of 1.327 for the year, a number that makes you understand why she earned this honor.

Iowa Western had two selections, and one of those was sophomore pitcher Brook Melnychuk, who led the nation with 27 wins (after regional tournament play). She also was the conference leader in multiple other pitching categories, turning in a 1.35 ERA and 259 strikeouts. She was solid no matter when she pitched during the game, because even though she was the primary starter for Iowa Western, Melnychuk also picked up an ICCAC leading three saves. 

Rounding out the special awards, Indian Hills' Lindsey Diehl was named the Coach of the Year. Diehl is in her second full season at her alma matter. In 2019, the Warriors were district champions and earned multiple wins at the National Tournament. Diehl led the Warriors to their sixth straight regular season title and sixth straight Region XI Tournament championship.

The rest of the All-Region First Team saw Indian Hills get selections for Margot Van Eijl, Chloe Olson, and Peyton Moffet.

Southwestern sophomores Paige Shwaluk, Madeleine Shwaluk, and Brylee Kemper earned First Team honors beside teammate Schad.

Southeastern's three selections featured and infielder, Lydia Allen-Barnes. As well as a utility player in Arianna Ramirez and a designated player, Abigayle Miller.

Alongside Melnychuk, Iowa Western had their catcher Kat Bain be appointed to the All-Region First Team.

Finally, Marshalltown's Lexy Davis was a designated player and the last player named to the team.

Player of the Year: Nicole Bellis, Indian Hills

Pitcher of the Year: Brook Melynchuk, Iowa Western

Offensive Player of the Year: Kaitlyn Schad, Southwestern

Defensive Player of the Year: Bryanna Mehaffy, Indian Hills

Coach of the Year: Lindsay Diehl, Indian Hills