LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has released its 2023 Softball All-Conference Teams as well as it’s major award winners. All-Conference consists of two teams each made up of 11 players (1 catcher, 4 infielders, 3 outfielders, 2 pitchers, 1 Designated Player / Utility Player). The major award winners were as follows:
 

Player of the Year - Arizona Shreck (Penn State Berks)

Pitcher of the Year - Mackenzie Weaver (Penn College)

Rookie of the Year - Mackenzie Sawdey (Penn State Harrisburg)

Coach of the Year - Justen Burns (Gallaudet University)

Shreck had another outstanding season in a Berks uniform, collecting her second-straight Player of the Year honor. The senior posted a batting average of .477, which ranks 28th among all Division III players. That average came from knocking 43 hits over 91 at-bats, which includes 16 doubles, one triple and five homers. Shreck makes every plate appearance worth it as her on-base percentage of .560 not only leads the conference but ranks 11th in the nation. Rounding out her plate stats, Shreck has registered a league-leading slugging percentage of .850 to go along with 37 RBI (third most in UEC). While not in the batter's box, Shreck has also performed well in the circle as she carries an ERA of just 2.82 while boasting a record of 9-3. One of Jersey Shore, Pa.’s top outings came in a big win over Penn State Harrisburg as she went 3-for-4 with an RBI.

Weaver has absolutely twirled it from the circle all season earning the Wildcat’s second-straight Pitcher of the Year honor (Benner in ‘22). The sophomore currently holds an ERA of just 0.76 which has her ranked 10th in Division III. That ERA has been helped by Weaver’s ability to limit opponent hits as her opponent batting average of .158 tops the conference and her hits-per-seven-innings (3.60) ranks sixth in the country. The Williamsport, Pa. native has brought the stuff as well, fanning 123 batters on the season. One of her best outings came in a week-long stretch in which she punched out 17 batters over 15.0 innings of work, finishing the week with a 2-0 record, a save and a Perfect Game.

Sawdey made a smooth transition to the collegiate game, instantly becoming one of the top hurlers in the conference. The first year struck out 125 batters on the season which led the entire conference. Sawdey did well to keep the runs off the board as well, posting an ERA just north of 2.00 while tossing 118.1 innings. She’d end the regular season with 10 wins and a pair of saves. One of her top performances came in a win over Lancaster Bible as she picked up a complete game win, punching out eight and not allowing a single run.

Burns did well to put the Bison in the hunt this season as the squad garnered 10 conference wins, up four from just a season ago. That win mark also set a program record for conference victories. The skipper prided his team on smart softball, leading the conference in stolen bases (47) and bases-on-balls (94). Burns guided two players to All-Conference recognition, the first Bison to receive the distinction since 2019.

The following players earned All-Conference Recognition

1st Team

Position	Player	Institution	Year	Hometown
Catcher	Callie Chambers	Penn State Abington	SO	Baltimore, Md.
Infield	Madelyn Lehigh	Penn State Harrisburg	SO	Harrisburg, Pa.
Infield	Arizona Shreck	Penn State Berks	JR	Jersey Shore, Pa.
Infield	Maddie Hurst	Penn College	SR	Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Infield	Phoebe Clemens	Lancaster Bible College	JR	Honey Brook, Pa.
Outfield	Susan Duncan	Penn State Berks	SR	Phoenixville, Pa.
Outfield	Hannah Lieb	Lancaster Bible College	GS	Annapolis, Md.
Outfield	Naomi Fay	Penn State Berks	SO	Alburtis, Pa.
DP/UTL	Gretchen Yanss	Penn State Abington	SO	Odenton, Md.
Pitcher	Mackenzie Weaver	Penn College	SO	Williamsport, Pa.
Pitcher	Mackenzie Sawdey	Penn State Harrisburg	FR	Halifax, Pa.

 

Position	Player	Institution	Year	Hometown
Catcher	Ivvy Morder	Penn College	SR	Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Infield	Jordan Specht	Penn College	SR	Frederick, Md.
Infield	Veronica Maryanski	Penn State Berks	SR	Boyertown, Pa.
Infield	Chloe King	Lancaster Bible College	SR	Cochranville, Pa.
Infield	Caitlyn Smith	Gallaudet University	SO	Indianapolis, Ind.
Outfield	Elaina Gates	Penn State Harrisburg	FR	Marysville, Pa.
Outfield	Krys Moore	Penn State Harrisburg	SR	Spring Grove, Pa.
Outfield	Alyssa Hamilton	Lancaster Bible College	JR	Elizabethtown, Pa.
DP/UTL	Kierstyn Smith	Penn State Harrisburg	FR	Millerburg, Pa.
Pitcher	Briana Smith	Penn State Berks	SR	York, Pa.
Pitcher	Christina Elsbury	Gallaudet University	FR	Uniontown, Ohio