Softball players receive postseason recognition

The Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) announced Division II All-Region Softball Teams on May 3. Three Cougars were recognized for their performance — sophomore shortstop Natalie Nenne, freshman outfielder Adelyn Miller and freshman pitcher Addison Murilla.

Natalie Nenne - First Team

Nenne was named to the All-Region First Team. She started every game at shortstop this season, playing lockdown defense up the middle. As the only upperclassman, she led the team both on and off the field. Her bat was also a key factor in being recognized by the conference — .435 avg., .764 slg., 12 HR, 37 XBH, 55 RBI.

"I didn't see this as a possibility because my goals coming in were to gain more confidence and find my passion for the game again," Nenne said. "Once those were achieved, the performance followed and happened naturally. This season has meant so much to me. It gave me so many opportunities and relationships I'll forever be grateful for."

Adelyn Miller - Second Team

Miller was named to the All-Region Second Team. She joined the Cougars after winter break, but her impact was immediately felt. Miller's terrific freshman campaign started on Feb. 20 at the RCTC Early Bird Invite in Rochester, Minn., with several extra base hits. She continued that throughout the season, along with settling into the left field position while also spending time in a utility catching role — .426 avg., .693 slg., 11 HR, 24 XBH, 55 RBI.

"I can't say I saw a season like this coming after having the fall off and not even anticipating playing again," Miller said. "But as soon as I knew I wanted to get back into it, I started working hard again, holding myself to a high expectation. This exceeded my expectations and only pushed me to work harder next season. This honor means a lot to me, showing how much I have worked throughout the season, not just me, but the whole team. I couldn't have done it without them and the coaches pushing me to be the best I can be."

Addison Murilla - Honorable Mention

Murilla was named to the All-Region Honorable Mention Team. She was the workhorse for the NICC pitching staff all season. She appeared in 36 games, starting 31 of them. Every time Murilla picked up the ball and stepped into the circle, her team knew they had a chance to win. The highlight of her season came when the College visited a ranked Iowa Central team. Murilla threw a complete game, allowing two runs and striking out 10, securing the first-ranked win in program history. Murilla's season stats — 4.57 ERA, 17 W, 177.2 IP, 186 SO.

"It means a lot," Murilla said. "It shows that all the work I put in every day paid off and it reflects the effort of my teammates. I just tried to stay consistent and give everything I had on the mound, and this recognition is something we all share as a team."

Building a postseason legacy

"I couldn't be more proud of our team for their effort this season," Head Coach Nick Weinmeister said. "It was reflected in the postseason voting that recognized Natalie, Adelyn and Addison specifically. These three were consistently impacting games for us this season, and for a first-year program to get recognition like this is a true testament to how well our team performed this season. Top to bottom, the ICCAC is one of the best junior college softball conferences in the country and we proved we can compete with everyone in our league."