NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Belmont University softball was honored as part of the 2025 Missouri Valley Conference softball awards, the league office announced Wednesday.
Maya Johnson was named MVC Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-MVC,
Rylee Spindler was named MVC Freshman of the Year and First Team All-MVC,
Nicole Hughes,
Baie Ensio, and
Maddy Balsiger were named Second Team All-MVC, and Brenna Brume was named MVC All-Defensive Team.
Belmont established a NCAA Division I standard with six Bruins earning all-conference honors in the same season.
Johnson ranks among NCAA leaders in 13 statistical categories, including first nationally in strikeouts (320), strikeouts per seven innings (12.5), strikeout-to-walk ratio (18.82), shutouts (11), WHIP (0.60), hits allowed per seven innings (3.52), and walks allowed per seven innings (0.66).
Johnson's strikeout-to-walk ratio is among the best recorded in the last two decades of NCAA Division I college softball.
Among Johnson's 11 shutouts was a perfect game vs. Eastern Kentucky Feb. 9.
She struck out 10 or more batters in 22 game appearances.
Johnson was named MVC Pitcher of the Week seven times during the regular season, spearheading the Bruins' best regular season win total and conference win total in the NCAA Division I era.
Moreover, Johnson was named Belmont Female Athlete of the Year and Presidential Scholar-Athlete of the Year at the recent Bruins' Choice Awards.
The Columbia Station, Ohio native has rewritten the Belmont record book.
The left-handed pitcher is on pace to become the first Belmont softball player to earn NFCA All-Region honors multiple times.
Spindler burst on the scene, providing instant offensive production atop the lineup and consistent fielding behind the Bruin pitching staff.
The Altoona, Wisconsin native ranks among MVC leaders in batting average (.360), on-base percentage plus slugging (1.005), on-base percentage (.478), hits (54) and walks (27).
Spindler also ranks among national leaders in triples (7) and hit by pitch (8).
The infielder has been named MVC Freshman of the Week six times this season.
Hughes earns All-MVC honors for a second consecutive season, showcasing her versatility in the field and prowess at the plate.
Despite missing seven games, the Lake Villa, Illinois native ranks among MVC leaders in batting average (.362), doubles (11) and on-base percentage (.449).
Hughes hit successfully in 31 games, including 13 multi-hit games and hits in seven of her last 11 at-bats.
Ensio has enjoyed a remarkable senior season, posting career-highs in numerous offensive categories. She ranks among MVC leaders in batting average (.347), runs (36), hits (50), and stolen bases (10).
The Tucson, Arizona native reached base successfully in 38 games, including 14 multi-hit games.
Among the top defensive players in the MVC with her notable outfield range, Ensio was named 2024 MVC All-Defensive Team and earned SCTop10 honors with a home-run saving catch.
Much like Spindler, Balsiger made an enormous contribution to the Bruins as a freshman.
The Germantown, Wisconsin native places among top MVC freshmen in numerous statistical categories, including total bases (48), stolen bases (8) and fielding percentage (.954).
She had an eight-game hitting streak during MVC play and six multi-hit games in conference.
Blume spearheaded Belmont's defensive efforts, directing traffic behind the plate, positioning teammates, and working pitching counts.
The Haubstadt, Indiana native helped the Bruins lead the MVC in fielding percentage – herself posting .995 behind the plate – and earned run average.
Blume caught seven runners stealing base.
She earned the Rich Tiner Altruism Award and the Female Student-Athlete Community Service Award at the Bruins' Choice Awards.
Belmont (37-14) returns to action Thursday in the quarterfinal round of the 2025 MVC Softball Championship. The Bruins will play either Bradley or Valparaiso. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT from Buel Field in Des Moines, Iowa.
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