WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. –
Malia Simmons from the Winston-Salem State University softball team was named to the 2023 Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Preseason Softball All-Conference Team, as voted on by the CIAA Softball Coaches Association and Sports Information Directors Association, announced by the league office Wednesday afternoon.
Simmons, a sophomore from Henderson, North Carolina was named to the Utility position. During the 2022 season, Simmons played in 22 games for the Rams finishing with a .397 batting average. She had one home run, 25 RBIs, 26 runs, 29 hits, nine doubles, four triples, and seven stolen bases. She was named CIAA Offensive Player of the Week once last season.
The CIAA also released the predicted order of finish as selected by the head coaches. The Rams were picked to finish third in the Southern Division and sixth overall.
2023 All-CIAA Preseason Softball Team
Pitcher Alaijah Pratt, Virginia State (2nd team 2022)
Catcher Isabel Mugaas, Elizabeth City State (2nd team 2022)
First Base Alexandria Beavers, Claflin
Second Base Zeta Brown, Elizabeth City State
Third Base Kayla Evans, Bowie State (2nd team 2022)
Shortstop Moya Jones, Johnson C. Smith
Outfield Shanya Gordon, Bowie State
Outfield Brenay Howard, Claflin
Outfield Kennedy Baskerville, Claflin (2nd team 2022)
Designated Player Jaelyn Jackson, Claflin
Utility Player Malia Simmons, Winston-Salem State
2023 CIAA Softball Predicted Order of Finish
1. Claflin University
2. Bowie State University
3. Fayetteville State University
4. Virginia State University
5. Elizabeth City State University
6. Winston-Salem State University
7. Virginia Union University
8. Lincoln (PA) University
t-9. Johnson C. Smith University
t-9. Shaw University
11. Saint Augustine's University
12. Livingstone College
Northern Division
1. Bowie State
2. Virginia State
3. Elizabeth City State
4. Virginia Union
5. Lincoln (PA)
6. Shaw
Southern Division
1. Claflin
2. Fayetteville State
3. Winston-Salem State
4. Johnson C. Smith
5. Saint Augustine's
6. Livingstone
