Gould, Florey and Hay recognized by MVC

Trio receives postseason accolades

University of Evansville softball players Eryn Gould, Morgan Florey and Brittany Hay were each recognized by the Missouri Valley Conference on Wednesday for their efforts during the 2018 softball season.

Leading the way for the Purple Aces was Eryn Gould, who was named the 2018 MVC Freshman of the Year.  She is just the second in program history to receive the accolade, joining Morgan Florey on the list.  Florey was the 2016 Freshman of the Year.  Gould was also named a First Team All-Conference player.

The Mt. Carmel, Ill. product burst onto the scene in 2018, pacing the conference with 13 doubles.  She completed the season with a .377 batting average, tied for 5^th in the league.  Gould had an extraordinary week at the plate against UNI in March on her way to being named the Newcomer and Player of the Week in the Valley.

She registered 6 hits in 7 at-bats, hitting .857 versus the Panthers.  She also notched five runs, two doubles, a home run and a walk in that series.

“This is a tremendous honor for Eryn.  She has really worked hard to earn this honor,” Aces head coach Mat Mundell said.  “It was amazing to see what she was able to do this season for us offensively.  We are excited to see where she will take her game from here.”

Joining Gould on the All-Conference First Team was junior Morgan Florey.  One of the top pitchers in the nation, Florey finished the season with 303 strikeouts, the first player in UE history to do so.  She is also one of just six players in MVC history to record 300 or more K’s in a single season.

Florey’s top outing came in a 16-inning game against Southern Illinois where she struck out 26 Saluki batters.  That tally was the most in the NCAA this season and was the third-highest single game total in NCAA history.

“Morgan had a season for the record books in the circle this year,” Mundell added.  “Each year she continues to elevate her pitching and a something new.  To strike out over 300 batters in a season in today’s game is unreal.”

Rounding out the accolades for the Aces was Brittany Hay, who earned a spot on the All-Defensive Team.  The senior had a strong season in the outfield after moving to that position from shortstop.  The 2017 MVC Newcomer of the Year paced the squad with 27 RBI.

“Brittany made a big position switch for us this season to center field.  It is unbelievable how fast she took to the move,” Mundell explained.  “She was the best defensive centerfielder in our conference.”