Sophomores Addie Graham and Kaitlyn Graham of the Central Arkansas Bears have received recognition in the ASUN preseason awards ahead of the upcoming softball season. Both athletes were named to the Preseason All-ASUN Team, with Addie Graham earning an additional distinction as the league’s Preseason Player of the Year. This marks the first time a Central Arkansas player has received this honor.
Head coach Kayla Lucas commented on their achievements: “I am extremely proud of both Addie and Kaitlyn. While we all understand it’s preseason, it still means a lot for those two to be recognized. They are both big pieces to our program and our success,” she said. “We have tasked them with growing up fast and they have stepped up to the occasion. Excited for Addie and Kaitlyn and can’t wait to watch them continue to grow and succeed.”
Addie Graham previously earned First Team All-ASUN outfielder honors and was named ASUN Freshman of the Year following her first collegiate season. She recorded 68 hits—the fourth-highest in the conference—and had a .389 batting average, which ranked seventh in ASUN play. Her performance included 12 doubles (seventh in ASUN), three home runs, an on-base percentage of .449 (ninth), 19 multi-hit games, a 10-game hitting streak, nine games with multiple RBIs, 96 putouts, and nine assists from center field.
Kaitlyn Graham was selected for Third Team All-ASUN honors last season as well as being named an ASUN All-Freshman honoree. She finished third on her team with a .308 batting average, tallying 48 hits—including 11 doubles (tied for ninth) and three home runs—and contributed 31 RBIs (21st in conference). Kaitlyn drew 26 walks as a freshman (ninth among all ASUN hitters) and achieved high marks defensively by recording one of the top fielding percentages and number of putouts while leading the conference with 24 double plays turned—more than ten other teams combined last year.
The Bears return seven starters from last season’s roster. The team was placed third in this year’s Preseason Coaches’ Poll by league coaches. Central Arkansas will begin its new campaign on February 6 at Sam Houston’s opening tournament.
