Hayes Makes All American, Program's First
Carneys Point, NJ. – The NJCAA announced the Division II softball All America team Tuesday May 4th and for the first time in Salem Community College Athletics history a Mighty Oaks won the honor. Freshman infielder Ella Hayes became the program's first NJCAA All American as the squad was announced online. Hayes earned third team honors.
The Region 19 Player of the Year had a fantastic year for the Mighty Oaks. She hit a Region 19 leading .595 for the season to go along with 20 doubles, 2 triples, 9 home runs and 61 RBI. Hayes boasted a slugging percentage of 1.000 with an on base percentage of .646 while totaling 126 total bases in 42 games this season. She had only one strike out in 126 at bats for the season.
Hayes name was among the national leaders as she was second in the NJCAA in batting average, second in on base percentage and twelfth in slugging percentage. Hayes led Region 19 in batting average, doubles, on base percentage and was second in RBI and slugging percentage.
"Ella Hayes is a special athlete and I am so incredibly proud of her. She is always finding ways to be immediately better and improve her game. I love her drive to succeed and her passion for the game," said Mighty Oaks Head Softball Coach Angel Rodriguez. "She's an incredible teammate and leader. Hayes definitely deserves this honor and left a mark in the history of the program and a pathway for others to follow."
Hayes headlines a Mighty Oaks team that set school records for wins in a season(31) as well as consecutive wins(19). Salem advanced in the Region 19 postseason knocking off topped rank Mercer only to fall in their next two games to end what was a historic season.