SFCC Softball Players Gudde, Love Earn Region 16 Honors

State Fair Community College’s softball program wrapped up its second season with 18 wins and demonstrated significant improvements over the first season.

In addition, two Lady Roadrunners earned All-Region 16 Division I honors as voted on by region coaches.

Sophomore outfielder/pitcher MacKenze Gudde of Cole Camp was named to the All-Region second team as an outfielder. She is the first SFCC softball player to earn all-region honors twice in her career. Freshman pitcher/first baseman Madison Love of Holts Summit also was named to the All-Region second team as a utility player.

“MacKenze and Madison played every inning of every game for us this season,” said head coach Lyndsey Talbot. “They were our most consistent hitters throughout the season. Their leadership and consistency in our lineup were invaluable.”

Gudde led her team in batting average at .385 while playing in all 51 games. She led the team in hits with 67 and contributed six home runs, which placed her second on the team. She drove in 31 runs and recorded a team-high 26 stolen bases, tying for 46th in the nation in stolen bases. Gudde also made 22 appearances in the circle and pitched four wins.

In Love’s first season as a Lady Roadrunner, she split her time between the pitching circle and first base. She played in 51 games, while hitting .376, which placed her second on the team in batting average. She recorded 59 hits, placing her second on the team. She led the team in doubles with 14 and had a .541 slugging percentage while hitting four home runs, placing her fourth on the team.

“Madison is a player who will continue to improve,” said Talbot. “She still has areas that she wants to work on and improve. Over the summer, all she wants to do is play and continue to get better.”

Love pitched in 34 games and recorded eight wins. She struck out 188 batters, which tied her for 16th in the nation in strikeouts.

“MacKenze has been an anchor for our program for two years,” said Talbot. “I’m excited to see what Madison will do next season, and I’m proud of their All-Region 16 recognition.”

David Rohrbach, SFCC Athletics