FARMINGTON, Utah (May 5, 2025) - The 2025 Big Sky Softball regular season has come to a close wand the conference office has announced the league's awards leading up to the championship in Greeley this week.
The all-conference awards and teams are voted on by the league's head coaches. Coaches could not vote for their own institution's student-athletes.
Setting the new conference single-season home run record, Ava Brown was named the Player of the Year after her breakout season. Brown hit 24 home runs as she led the Bengals to a regular-season crown and No. 1 seed in the upcoming Big Sky tournament. Brown capped off the regular season with a .388 batting average and 62 RBIs.
Fellow Bengal Kasey Aguinaga earns Pitcher of the Year honors after her first season in the Big Sky. The Boise State transfer logged a 14-6 record over 23 apperances and 14 starts. Aguinaga held her opponents to a .280 batting average and recorded 34 strikeouts on the way.
Sacramento State's Madison Evers-Lyles and Weber State's Sadie Kirk share Freshmen of the Year honors after a stellar first season of collegiate play. Evers-Lyles was one of the league's best at the plate the season batting .370, with 10 home runs, 9 doubles and 34 RBIs. Kirk also putting up eye-opening numbers for the Wildcats. She was second on the team with 42 hits and third in batting average (.336) and runs (28).
Northern Colorado's Katie Walling, Idaho State's Kasey Aguinaga and Sacramento State's Lafulafu Melepeai have earned Tri-Newcomer of the year honors.
Andrew Rich was unanimously voted Big Sky Coach of the Year after a dominating regular season at the helm of the Bengal's program.
The 2025 Big Sky Softball Championships will be held May 9-9 at Northern Colorado. The six teams in the league battle for the conference crown and the Big Sky's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
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2025 Big Sky Softball Individual Award Winners
Player of the Year: Ava Brown, Idaho State*
Pitcher of the Year: Kasey Aguinaga, Idaho State
Co-Freshman of the Year: Madison Evers-Lyles, Sac State/Sadie Kirk, Weber State
Tri-Top Newcomer of the Year: Kasey Aguinaga, Idaho State/Katie Walling, Northern Colorado/Lafulafu Malepeai, Sac State
Coach of the Year: Andrew Rich, Idaho State*
* - unanimous selection
First Team All-Big Sky
Catcher: Jenna Kearns, Idaho State*
First Base: Amailee Morales, Northern Colorado*
Second Base: Sadie Kirk, Weber State
Shortstop: Krista Francia, Northern Colorado
Third Base: Abby Grundy, Weber State
Outfield: Ava Brown, Idaho State*
Outfield: Gracie Smith, Idaho State*
Outfield: Alyssa Yee, Idaho State
Pitcher: Kasey Aguinaga, Idaho State
Pitcher: Lizzy Tommasini, Idaho State
Pitcher/UTL: Caroline Evans, Sac State
Non-Pitcher/UTL: Riley Whalen, Weber State
* - unanimous first-team selection
Second Team All-Big Sky
Catcher: Katie Marsh, Sac State
First Base: Kiaira Smith, Weber State
Second Base: Belle Navarrete, Idaho State
Shortstop: Camryn McDonald, Idaho State
Third Base: Madison Evers-Lyles, Sac State
Outfield: Lafulafu Malepeai, Sac State
Outfield: Presley Jantzi, Montana
Outfield: Andrea Lira, Sac State
Pitcher: Kennedie Magorian, Sac State
Pitcher: Cali McCraw, Weber State
Pitcher/UTL: Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung, Portland State
Non-Pitcher/UTL: Shannon Garcia, Sac State
All-Big Sky Honorable Mention^
Catcher: Sabrina Javorsky, Northern Colorado
Catcher: Eva Richardson, Weber State
First Base: Kennedy Dudley, Idaho State
First Base: Alexa Carino, Sac State
Second Base: Jaycie Gandert, Northern Colorado
Second Base: Jenna Birch, Sac State
Shortstop: Taegan Smith, Weber State
Shortstop: Anna Cockhill, Montana
Third Base: Katie Walling, Northern Colorado
Third Base: Brooke Peterson, Idaho State
Outfield: Olivia Birkinshaw, Weber State
Outfield: Ellie Babbitt, Portland State
Pitcher: Anna Wilming, Northern Colorado
Pitcher: Alexa Ortiz, Sac State
Non-Pitcher/UTL: Olivia Robison, Idaho State
^ - Must receive at least three votes