University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff pitcher Kayla Adams was named Co-Freshman of the Year by the Southwestern Athletic Conference late Monday.
The Tulsa native finished the regular season with a 1.54 ERA, the best in the SWAC and 26th nationally. Her 1.88 ERA in SWAC games was fifth-best in the league.
Adams struck out 180 Division I hitters this season, best in the SWAC and tied for 19th in the nation. She struck out 119 hitters in SWAC play, also best in the conference.
She was credited with 12 of UAPB’s 19 wins this season.
Adams shares freshman of the year honors with Florida A&M pitcher Zoryana Hughes, who was also named pitcher of the year.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Adams was also one of three pitchers, joining Hughes and Prairie View A&M’s Breanna Reyna, to be named to the All-SWAC first team. Adams was the only UAPB player to receive All-SWAC honors.
Prairie View A&M’s Mia Nunez was named player of the year, while teammate Biviana Figueroa was named hitter of the year. Florida A&M’s Samantha Smith was named newcomer of the year.
Prairie View’s Vernon Bland and FAMU’s Camise Patterson were named co-coaches of the year.