Fayette, Mo. – Eight members of the Central Methodist softball program earned Heart of America All-Conference honors for their performance during the regular season.
Central had four Eagles earn First Team honors, two named to the Second Team, and one receive Honorable Mention recognition. Additionally, two Eagles were selected to the Heart Gold Glove Team for their defensive efforts this season.
Emma King led the way for Central, earning Heart Freshman of the Year honors. She is the first CMU player to receive the award since Mykayla Johnico in 2022. King was also named a First Team All-Conference selection as an at-large pick.
King finished her debut season batting .457 with a .681 slugging percentage, recording 10 doubles and seven home runs. She drove in 46 RBI and scored 24 runs across 46 games. Defensively, King totaled 85 chances with a .977 fielding percentage, proving to be a key contributor both at the plate and in the field.
Senior first baseman Elizabeth Palumbo joined King on the First Team. Palumbo has appeared in 51 games for the Eagles, batting .422 with 19 doubles, three triples, and seven home runs. She has driven in 47 RBI while drawing 22 walks. The Morrison, Illinois native is now a three-time First Team All-Conference selection.
Fellow senior Joely Crider earned First Team honors for the fourth consecutive year, this time as an outfielder. Crider set career bests in several statistical categories, including hits (67), doubles (19), home runs (6), batting average (.414), and slugging percentage (.654). She has played in all 51 games this season and was named Heart Player of the Week on Feb. 11.
Senior Kaysie Jolley rounded out the First Team selections while also earning a spot on the Heart Gold Glove Team for her defensive play in center field. The Nampa, Idaho native has appeared in all 51 games. Offensively, Jolley recorded 65 hits, including 14 doubles and three triples, while driving in five RBI. On the basepaths, she swiped a career-best 16 stolen bases and is batting .399 with a .613 slugging percentage. Defensively, Jolley posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, recording 59 putouts and nine assists on 68 total chances. She is now a four-time First Team All-Conference selection.
Karlie Barnum and Madison Roberts each earned Second Team honors — Barnum as a pitcher and Roberts as an infielder.
Barnum, a freshman from Boise, Idaho, has compiled a 17-3 record across 20 starts this season. She has pitched 119.1 innings with a 2.87 ERA and 75 strikeouts, including nine complete games.
Roberts has played in 46 games for the Eagles, primarily at shortstop. The senior from Elkhart, Illinois is batting .377 with 52 hits, including 11 doubles and two home runs. She has driven in 28 RBI and scored 33 runs.
Sophomore Maddie Holly earned Honorable Mention recognition for the second straight year. The Wilsonville, Oregon native has split time between catcher and third base while appearing in 51 games. She is batting .346 with seven doubles, three triples, and one home run.
Junior Kinlei Boley joined Jolley as a Heart Gold Glove selection as a utility player. In 48 games this season, Boley posted a .984 fielding percentage with just one error in 64 total chances.
To view the full conference release on this year's Heart Softball All-Conference teams and award winners, please click here.
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