2021 MIAC SOFTBALL AWARDS

MINNEAPOLIS -- Two Augsburg University softball players earned postseason honors from the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for their accomplishments during the 2021 season, it was announced by the conference office on Monday. Second baseman Katie Manecke (FY, Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS) earned All-MIAC honors, while pitcher/utility player Myia Sarff (FY, South St. Paul, Minn./South St. Paul HS) was named to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team.

Manecke was one of only four first-year players named to the 36-member All-MIAC squad, selected by conference coaches. Thirteen players, including two first-years, were also named All-MIAC Honorable Mention.

Augsburg's leadoff hitter in 28 of her 31 games played this season, Manecke led the team in hitting, with a .323 (31-of-96) batting average, hitting three doubles, contributing four RBI and scoring a team-best 20 runs. She had a .354 slugging percentage and .414 on-base percentage, and claimed a team-best six stolen bases in seven attempts. Defensively, Manecke had a .952 fielding percentage, with six errors in 125 chances.

She had at least one hit in 20 of her 31 games played, with eight multiple-hit games and three multiple-run games. She reached base in 28 games this season. Manecke had 10 walks and was hit five times by a pitch.

Manecke was also a member of Augsburg women's basketball team, averaging 1.2 points and 1.3 rebounds per-game in the Auggies' six-game 2020-21 season.

Sarff was named to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team, as part of the conference's sportsmanship initiative. Members of the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team are selected by their coaches and teammates as individuals who demonstrate ideals of positive sportsmanship both on and off the field of competition. 

Sarff appeared in six games this season, with a hit, walk and a run scored. She also appeared in two games as a pitcher (3.0 innings), with a strikeout against one walk.

Under fifth-year head coach Melissa Lee, Augsburg finished with a 5-29 overall record and 2-20 conference mark in 2021.