All-Conference selections (from left) Alyssa Awtrey, Chloe Lambert, Suzanna Cabe and Ashlyn McConnell mob Kendall Rumans at home plate after Rumans’ two-run homer versus Murphy March 4. (Press file photo)
After an 18-8 season ending in Round 2 of the state playoffs, seven Panthers were recently named to the All-Mountain Eight Conference team, including five First Team selections and two Honorable Mentions. Last week The Press recounted the seasons of three of these seven Panthers, with the final four listed below.
Suzanna Cabe
Having earned conference Pitcher of the Year honors as a freshman, Suzanna Cabe earned her second straight All-Conference nod this spring.
A year after breaking Franklin’s single-season strikeout record (181), the sophomore once again led the conference in Ks (106), and finished second in both wins (14) and earned runs average (3.47). In 111 innings she allowed just 137 hits, and also turned in the team’s sixth-highest fielding percentage (.905).
At the plate she was also one of the conference’s best hitters, finishing fourth in runs scored (38) and sixth in runs batted in (34). She also ranked ninth conference-wide in batting average (.538) and slugging percentage (.813), and second on the team in doubles (13), total hits (43) and on-base percentage (.578). Upon reaching base she was one of the Mountain Eight’s best runners, tying for third conference-wide in stolen bags (15).
“Suzanna has the single-season strikeout record, and she’s pitched for us the last two years. She didn't have to pitch quite as much this year; I tried to get some innings in from Payton Manos and Alyssa Awtry just to give her a little bit of a break,” said head coach Bobby Bishop. “But not only did she pitch; Suzanna was also one of our best hitters. She had a lot of hits and a lot of doubles and some home runs and stolen bases and is just an all-around great player. … So, she doesn’t have to pitch in order to help you in the lineup.”
Chloe Lambert
Earning a First Team nod in her first year on the team, Chloe Lambert burst onto the scene as a freshman.
Already one of Franklin’s most consistent hitters, she finished fifth on the team in average (.417) and total hits (30). This combined with 10 walks gave her the team’s fourth-best on-base percentage (.489). Far from just a contact hitter however, she also finished fifth in both doubles (10) and stolen bases (3).
Playing primarily at second base, the freshman was one of Franklin’s defensive anchors, often being forced to handle hard-hit balls up the middle. In 73 total chances she posted 41 put-outs, 23 assists and tied for first in double plays (4), good for a .877 fielding percentage. She was also one of the team’s most durable players, finishing as one of just three Panthers to appear in all 25 games.
“Chloe Lambert was a freshman that came in this year and hit for a great average, got a lot of hits and drove in some runs,” said Bishop. “She played second for us most of the time; I think she played third or short once or twice if I needed her to when we were maneuvering some people around. … She’s a good kid and plays a lot of ball, so she's one that's going to be around for a couple of years and hopefully help us out a lot.”
Ashlyn McConnell
A senior earning her fourth All-Conference honor, Ashlyn McConnell capped a stellar career this spring.
A year after breaking Franklin’s single-season doubles record (17), the North Georgia commit was once again among Franklin’s best hitters, finishing third in average (.455), total hits (40) and on-base percentage (.495). She finished fourth in runs scored (25), RBIs (26) and doubles (11), and also stole the second-most bases on the team with eight.
At shortstop she was once again Franklin’s best defender, routinely corralling hard-hit balls to force runners out at second or make pinpoint throws to other bases. In 115 total chances she led the team far and away with 51 assists, and also tied for the team lead in double plays (4). She added 55 put-outs to finish fourth in fielding percentage (.922), and was also one of just three Panthers to appear in all 25 games.
“Ashlyn has the single-season doubles record, and her and Kendall [Rumans] are tied for their careers,” said Bishop of the classmates’ shared school record of 51. “Ashlyn has started every year; when she came up we had plenty of infielders, and she said, ‘I can play anywhere you want me to play.’ she started out in the outfield for me and has played shortstop for us the last couple years, so she’s been willing to play wherever. … She’s a very good kid.”
Kendall Rumans
The owner of nearly every Panther all-time hitting record, Kendall Rumans capped one of the great careers in program history.
As conference Player of the Year and an Appalachian State commit, the senior once again struck fear into the hearts of pitchers this spring, leading the Mountain Eight in RBIs (48) and runs scored (51). She finished second conference-wide in home runs (9), slugging percentage (1.079) and on-base percentage (.613), and also ranked fourth in average (.562). She led all Panthers in doubles (17), total extra-base hits (27) and walks (15), and also finished third in stolen bases (6).
In center field she also anchored the middle of Franklin’s defense, finishing seventh conference-wide in fielding percentage (.947). In 57 total chances she posted 52 put-outs, two assists and just three errors all season, and also was one of just three Panthers to appear in all 25 games.
“She’s always been one of our leaders; even at a young age she was well above her years, and a great kid to coach,” said Bishop of the four-time All-Conference player. “In a single season, Kendall has the most runs (51), she has the most hits (50) in a season, she has the most RBIs (48) in a season, so that’s three of those single-season [program] records. For her career she has the most runs (146) and she also has the most career RBIs (167), and she’s tied with Ashlyn for the career doubles record (51). … She’s got the career home run record (39) also, and the only thing she wasn’t able to catch up in was career hits – she fell about two short of Haeli Bryson (159). … So like I said, a very unique player, a very good kid, and one that did a lot of good stuff for us over the last four years.”
Will Woolever can be reached at sports@thefranklinpress.com