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Baldwin Wallace University Softball Head Coach Tom Spencer and his staff have been named the Ohio Athletic Conference Staff of the Year while five BW players were named to All-Ohio Athletic Conference team.

Spencer and his staff now earn the honor for the third time after being selected in 2023 and 2011.  Spencer, who is in his 20th season and won his 500th career game this season, was also tabbed as the Coach of the Year in 2001.

Senior catcher Bridie Bricker (Brook Park/Berea-Midpark) was named to the first-team.   Junior right handed pitcher Marisa Hall (Paris/East Canton), sophomore first baseman Gillian Ryser (Hubbard) and sophomore designated player Maddie Lester (Boardman) were selected to the second-team.  Sophomore shortstop Lucia Wolford (McDonald) was tabbed as honorable mention.

Lester, who garners her first accolade, was also named to the OAC All-Tournament Team.  This year, she led the team in batting with a .372 average (45-of-121).  Lester led the team and was fourth in the OAC in doubles with 13.  She led the squad and was tied for fifth in the conference in walks with 16 and homeruns with seven.  Lester led the team and was seventh in the league in runs batted-in (RBIs) with 37.  She also added two triples.  Lester also was second the team in wins with nine.  Lester recorded 60 strikeouts in 84.2 innings pitched.  She had a 3.39 earned run average (ERA).

Ryser, who earns her first accolade, was also named to the OAC All-Tournament Team.  This season, she was third on the team with a career-high 19 RBIs and was fourth on the team with a career-best .345 batting average (38-of-110).  Ryser tallied a career-high six doubles, a career-best tying three stolen bases and six walk.  She led the team with 178 putouts while adding 13 assists.   For her career, Ryser has appeared in 79 games and has a .320 batting average (70-of-219).  She has recorded 37 RBIs, 15 walks, eight doubles, six stolen bases and one triple.  Off the field, Ryser is a Dean's List student and a Jacket Scholar.

Wolford, who garners her first accolade, was also named to the OAC All-Tournament Team.  This season, she was second on the team with a career-best .370 batting average (40-of-108).  Wolford was second on the team with career-best 28 RBIs and career-high 10 doubles. She also tallied a team-leading 73 assists, a career-best 65 putouts, seven walks, two stolen bases, one triple and one homerun.  For her career, Wolford has appeared in 80 games and has a .318 batting average (70-of-220).  She has recorded 149 assists, 121 putouts, 50 RBIs, 15 doubles, 15 walks, seven stolen bases, three triples and one homerun. Off the field, Wolford is a Dean's List student, Jacket Scholar, and a member of the National Residence Hall Honor Society.

The Yellow Jackets, who won their third OAC Tournament Championship, is back in action on Thursday, May 16 when they travel to Greencastle, Indiana for an NCAA Division III Regional Tournament game against Coe (Iowa) College on the DePauw University Softball Field at 12 p.m.