Orangeburg, SC (April 30, 2025) - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announces its 2025 Softball All-Conference teams and superlatives as voted by the CIAA Sports Information Directors Association. This year's team is led by CIAA Player of the Year, Bowie State's Lindsey George, and CIAA Pitcher of the Year, Winston-Salem State's Jyla Thomas. The 2024-25 All-CIAA Softball Team by the Sports Information Directors in cohesion with the coaches.
Lindsey George was named the Player of the Year after a strong campaign as a two-way player, pitching in team-high 22 games and garnering a 9-8 record to go along with a 3.70 ERA and 85 strikeouts. On the offensive side, she knocked 22 hits in 68 at-bats, good for a .324 batting average. She also managed a team-high 15 walks.
Jyla Thomas garnered the Pitcher of the Year honor after a posting a stellar 8-3 record during the season. She carried an impressive a 2.12 ERA, only giving up 24 earned runs in 18 appearances. She also fanned 74 batters en route to the prestigious honor.
Mikaylah Chimara took home the Rookie of the Year honor after a memorable rookie campaign which saw her start in 38 of the 40 games she played in. She managed a .270 batting average with 30 hits and scored 30 runs, while drawing 15 walks. Defensively, she was a force to be reckoned with as well, posting a .958 fielding percentage after 61 putouts and seven assists in 71 attempts.
In his sixth season at the helm of Bowie State, Ed Powell was named Coach of the Year. Powell has won each of the last two CIAA championships and has picked up right where he left off, leading the team to a 23-17 record, including 15-0 in the conference and 10-0 in the division.
2025 All-CIAA First Team
Pitcher - Jyla Thomas (Winston-Salem State State University)
Catcher - Lexi Shadowens (Bluefield State University)
First Base - Mylia Knight (Virginia State University)
Second Base - Aniyah Jackson (Claflin University)
Third Base - Treja Patterson (Fayetteville State University)
Shortstop - Taylor Dawkins (Bowie State University)
Outfield - Jayla Hill (Bowie State University)
Outfield - Paige Whittington (Bluefield State University)
Outfield - Coreena Dunham (Bowie State University)
Designated Player - Jayla Hill (Bowie State University)
Utility Player - Paige Whittington (Bluefield State University)
2025 All-CIAA Second Team
Pitcher - Tia Brown (Lincoln University (PA))
Catcher - Miranda Wilson (Winston-Salem State University)
First Base - Angelica Locklear (Fayetteville State University)
Second Base - Jaya Diggs-Hagwood (Virginia State University)
Third Base - Mikayla Amos (Bowie State University)
Shortstop - Morgan Jackson (Fayetteville State University)
Outfield - Lauren Parham (Virginia State University)
Outfield - Sinai Cisneros (Livingstone College)
Outfield - Malia Simmons (Winston-Salem State University)
Designated Player - Aaliyah Rodriguez (Winston-Salem State University)
Utility Player - Taylor Dawkins (Bowie State University)
2025 All-CIAA Rookie Team
Mikaylah Chimara (Bluefield State University)
Makayla Vinson (Winston-Salem State University)
Mykhl Young (Bowie State University)
Madison Heath (Fayetteville State University)
Mikayla Amos (Bowie State University)
Ja'chelle Mosley (Bowie State University)
Courtney Ward (Elizabeth City State University)
Aaliyah Rodriguez (Winston-Salem State University)
Cheyenne Payne (Fayetteville State University)
Player of the Year - Lindsey George (Bowie State University)
Pitcher of the Year - Jyla Thomas (Winston-Salem State University)
Rookie of the Year - Mikaylah Chinmara, Freshman (Bowie State University)
Coach of the Year - Ed Powell (Bowie State University)