Players of the Month: McMillan, Gottshall, Groff, Beachum
Each month, Softball America’s staff votes on a hitter, pitcher and a pair of freshmen that made a difference in the past month. Here are the choices for the month of April during the 2024 season.
Statistics based on games from April 1 to April 30
April Player of the Month: Cori McMillan, Virginia Tech
April Statline: 19-44 (.432), 1 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR, 25 RBI
The Radford transfer went on a hot streak in April, breaking the single-season program home run record (20). It’s hard to stand out in the Hokies’ deep lineup but McMillan can continue to add to her record with a strong finish to the regular season.
April Pitcher of the Month: Payton Gottshall, Tennessee
April Statline: 6-2, 1 SV, 0.49 ERA, 37 SO, 41.2 IP
Gottshall has been great in April, only allowing three earned runs. The graduate pitcher picked up wins over Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi State. She and her bullpen-mate Karlyn Pickens create a dynamic duo that has led Tennessee back to the top of the SEC.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Coach Michael Vick
Former NFL star is college HC
- 2Hot
Zachariah Branch
USC 5-Star hits the portal
- 3
Jaylen Mbakwe
5-Star Alabama freshman staying in Tuscaloosa
- 4
Dan Mullen
Contract details released
- 5
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April Freshman Pitcher of the Month: Maddia Groff, Southern Illinois
April Statline: 10-2, 1 SV, 1.03 ERA, 96 SO, 67.2 IP
Groff continues to be special for Southern Illinois. The freshman saw her overall ERA rise in April from 0.60 to 0.75, if that tells you how good she’s been at year. Groff had more strikeouts in April with three outings with 13-plus Ks.
April Freshman Player of the Month: Jaysoni Beachum, Florida State
April Statline: 21-52 (.404 BA), 3 2B, 7 HR, 26 RBI
Beachum is racing toward the National Freshman of the Year award. The third baseman broke Sydney Sherrill’s program freshman RBI record in April. She had her best power month of the season with seven home runs while maintaining her .447 batting average, which ranks in the top 10 nationally.
