Cronin wins AAC player of the year, Holly coach of the year

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (April 26, 2021) – Sophomore Katie Cronin and Head Coach Wes Holly earned the top honors in the Appalachian Athletic Conference to highlight the softball postseason awards for No. 19 Milligan University.

Cronin accordingly won a spot on the All-Conference first team while April Alvarado and Erin Forgety were recognized on the All-Conference second team. The AAC announced the selections Monday night.

The Buffs won the AAC regular season, standing alone in first place, with a record of 29-5 (22-4 AAC). It marked the first time capturing the league title since winning it three times in a span of five years (2008, 2009, 2012). The Buffs also qualified automatically for the NAIA Softball National Championship and will appear there for the third time in the last five full seasons (2016, 2017).

Cronin is the nation's hitting leader. She ranks No. 1 in average (.586), No. 1 in hits per game (2.0) and No. 15 in total hits (65), as well as in the top 50 in four other hitting categories. Cronin currently rides a 13-game hitting streak and has nine three-hit games on the year.

Alvarado provided further support to Milligan's offensive power this season, as she batted .360 with seven doubles and 19 RBI's. Conversely, Forgety provided much of the defense this season with an ERA of 1.83, 12 wins and an opposing batting average of .212. She struck out 75 and walked only 12 in 92 innings inside the circle.  

Forgety ranks in the top 50 nationally in four categories, including opposing average and ERA.

Milligan enters the AAC tournament as the top seed and will face Brenau Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Brickyard Park in Kingsport. Milligan swept Brenau in the regular-season finale last week.