MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Four Blue Raiders have been honored with the second-annual softball team awards as announced by Head Coach Sue Nevar on Thursday.
The honors were first given out by the coaching staff following the end of Nevar's first year at the helm of the softball program.
"All four of these players fully deserve these recognitions," Nevar said. "They have taken leadership roles on the team while showing that student-athletes can obtain success academically, athletically and in the community over a sustained period of time."
"We feel as a coaching staff that these are important characteristics to recognize at the conclusion of each season."
Senior Martha Davis and junior Lindsey Vander Lugt were named co-most valuable players after superb seasons in the diamond for the Blue Raiders.
Davis leads Middle Tennessee in batting average (.301) hits (44), homeruns (5), RBIs (29) and slugging percentage (.459). Davis passed the century mark for defensive assists (currently has 147) on April 5 for the first time in her storied career.
The Signal Mountain, Tenn., native had spent her previous three years with the Blue Raiders in the outfield before moving in to anchor the left side for her final season.
Vander Lugt finds herself closing in on the career mark for most career appearances as a Blue Raider. The lefty now has 130 through this season, trailing former Middle Tennessee great Jennifer Martinez (134) by four for the top spot.
She also ranks second place all-time for career complete games with 83 and third in school history for strikeouts with 413.
Junior Caitlin McLure picked up the Blue Raider Award that goes to the player on the team that excels most in athletics, academics and community service. The K-12 education major is batting .275 with a team-leading 19 stolen bases and six outfield assists.
Sophomore Kelsey Dortch received the "Blood, Sweat and Tears" Award, an honor that goes to the player that most exemplifies the characteristics of hard work and determination throughout the season. Dortch has set career-highs in hits, runs scored, homeruns, RBIs and stolen bases in 2009.
Middle Tennessee finishes off Sun Belt Conference regular season play with a three-game series at Western Kentucky this weekend. Opening pitch on Saturday is slated for 1 p.m.
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