Buckley Leads All-GSAC Quartet
Glendale, Ariz.- The Golden State Athletic Conference announced the 2022 All-GSAC Softball Team on Tuesday and Arizona Christian was represented by a quartet of players. Junior Claire Buckley led the way as she was named the GSAC Player of the Year. Like in the ACU lineup, Jyden Miles, Taylor Schleisman, and Taylor Alto followed Buckley on the All-GSAC team. Buckley repeated as the GSAC Glove shortstop joined by Miles and Jade Phillips as Gold Glove outfielders.
Head Coach Mike Mayben stated, “We are really proud of all of our all conference and Gold Glove players. Claire has been the heart and soul of our team this year. She is an amazing talent and servant leader on the field. Jyden, Taylor S., and Taylor A. have anchored our defense and been the engine that makes our offense run all year. Jade is an intelligent leader in the outfield who not only plays great individual defense but also has us in a good position pitch by pitch.”
Buckley, out of Clovis, CA, earns her second straight All-GSAC honor after leading the GSAC in batting average (.461) and home runs (12) while starting all 45 games. She was second in the GSAC in RBI at the conclusion of the regular season with 44. The shortstop was also second in the GSAC with 109 assists and just nine errors.
Miles, a freshman from Sacramento, CA, has started all 44 games she played in the left field. She finished the regular season with a .392 average with 20 stolen bases on 23 attempts. Miles scored 32 runs- second on the Firestorm. She added an inside-the-park home run. Defensively, she notched 55 putouts while dialing in two assists from the outfield.
Alto, a sophomore out of Beaverton, OR, started all 39 games she played at third base. Alto was third on the Firestorm with a .346 average. She drove in 22 runs while scoring 25 runs. Her 83 assists are second the team.
Schleisman, who calls home Elizabeth, CO, started all 45 games at second base for the Firestorm. Twenty-eight was her favorite number as she hit .328 and drove in 28 runs. She matched her number with 31 runs score thanks in part to 12 doubles and a home run. She is third on the team with 64 assists.
Joining in on the defensive recognition was Phillips from Erie, CO. The centerfielder made her 52 putouts look easily roaming the outfield. She added to two assists.
The five Firestorm will lead ACU at the GSAC Championships this week.
Ladies- congratulations on the GSAC recognition.
