Kansas City, Mo. - 10 members of the Central Methodist Softball program earned Heart of America All-Conference Honors, which were announced by the conference last week.
In addition to the all-conference selections, the Eagles had two superlative award winners. Elizabeth Palumbo earned back-to-back Player of the Year Awards while Head Coach Pat Reardon was named the Heart Coach of the Year for the 13th time in his career.
Palumbo was joined on the Heart All-Conference First Team by Haley Cotter, Lauren Hill, Madison Roberts, Daly Garland, Kaysie Jolley, Rachel Brandt, and Joely Crider.
Veronica Dearth and Maddie Holly rounded out the All-Conference selection with at large and honorable mention nods respectively.
Madison Roberts also achieved a Heart Conference Gold Glove Award due to her extraordinary defense on the diamond. The junior recorded a .965 fielding percentage at shortstop and committed only six errors during the season.
First Team:
Elizabeth Palumbo - Palumbo led the team with 61 hits and 10 home runs while hitting exactly .400 on the year. The left-handed first baseman had 15 doubles and 46 RBI. She tallied a .690 slugging percentage with a .466 on base percentage.
Haley Cotter - The junior out of Smithville, Missouri has made 21 appearances with 20 starts. Cotter posted a 1.53 ERA in 118.2 innings pitched. She finished with a team best 57 strikeouts and a 16-4 record in the circle.
Lauren Hill - Central's primary catcher hit .348 on the season with five home runs and 37 RBI in 46 games. The California, Missouri native accompanied that with 15 doubles and two triples along with having a .410 on base percentage and slugging just under .600 in 138 at bats.
Madison Roberts - Roberts had a team best .420 batting average in 45 games with 31 RBI and scored 30 runs. The junior also posted nine doubles and one triple while accomplishing a .488 on base percentage. Roberts only struck out eight times in her 143 at bats.
Daly Garland - The Woodridge, Illinois native hit .368 with 17 extra base hits, including 14 doubles, and three home runs. Garland also posted a .450 on base percentage while striking out only 10 times.
Kaysie Jolley - Jolley posted a .307 batting average in her 47 games played. She left the yard seven times and had 38 RBI. The junior also showcased her speed, hitting four triples and recording five stolen bases on the season.
Rachel Brandt - In her first year at the college level, Brandt had a .348 batting average in 37 games played. The Oregon outfielder also drove in 26 runs and stole five bags. Brandt only struck out nine times in her 89 at bats and finished with a .402 on base percentage.
Joely Crider - No Eagle got on base more than Crider, who led the team with a .505 on-base percentage in 142 at bats. The junior out of Eagle, Idaho hit .373 on the year with five home runs and 36 RBI. In 47 games she slugged .606. Out of her 53 hits, 16 of those were doubles along with one triple.
At Large:
Veronica Dearth - The sophomore made 12 starts and 19 overall appearances. She finished the season with a 10-2 win loss mark and a 1.94 ERA in 90.1 innings pitched. The right-hander also posted 60 strikeouts and a 1.04 WHIP.
Honorable Mention:
Maddie Holly - Holly hit .378 on the year with one home run and 31 RBI. The freshman had five doubles in 166 plate appearances while walking 13 times and recording an on-base percentage of .434.
Coach of the Year:
Coach Pat Reardon led the program to their fourth consecutive Heart Regular Season Championship in 2025. Central posted a conference record of 21-3 and earned the No. 1 overall seed in the conference tourament.
It mark's Coach Reardon's fourth consecutive Heart Coach of the Year honor.
To view the Heart release on this year's Heart Softball All-Conference teams and award winners, please click here.
Up Next:
The Eagles will prepare to host the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round from May 12-15 in Fayette, Mo.
CMU will find out its opponents Wednesday, May 7 during the NAIA Selection Show.
#Take Flight
