CARMEL, Ind. - The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) announced the 2023 Softball All-Conference teams and the major award winners on Tuesday, May 16.

2023 Softball All Conference & Awards

Manchester University head coach Sara Emerich led the Spartans back into the post season for the first time since the 2018 season behind a 23-20 overall record and a 10-6 conference mark, earning the No. 4 seed. The last time the Black and Gold won 20 or more games in a single season was back in 2016, and the Spartans' 353 hits on the season set a new Manchester school record for number of hits by a team in a single season. Her leadership garnered the recognition of her peers and the title of 2023 HCAC Softball Coach of the Year.

First-year Sabrina Leonard (Fillmore, Ind. , South Putnam) earned All-Conference First Team accolades, while teammate Kaitlyn Carr (Valparaiso, Ind., Chesterton) was named All-HCAC Second Team. 

Leonard finished the season with a .413 batting average against conference opponents. Overall, Leonard tallied 45 hits, 14 of which were doubles and two home runs. On the season, Leonard finished with 34 RBI and a .523 slugging percentage. She was also a perfect 5-5 on stolen base attempts and finished the season with 24 runs scored. Leonard's 14 doubles currently ranks seventh all-time in school history. Her 34 RBI are tied for seventh all-time. 

Carr finished the season with 14 wins, tied for fifth all-time in Manchester school history. The sophomore finished with a 2.18 ERA, third best in the HCAC this season. Carr also totaled 60 strikeouts and 14 complete games in 2023. Her 138.0 innings pitched this season is ranked tenth all-time in Manchester school history. She also finished the season with a .264 batting average, with 28 hits and 14 RBI.