Contact: Jeff Sattora

CLEVELAND- Four Cleveland State Vikings' softball players were honored with year-end league recognitions Tuesday, as both the Horizon League and CollegeSportsMadness.com end of the year awards were announced.

Two players highlighted the selections with individual honors for the Vikings. Erica McNew led the way with three selections, as she was named the CollegeSportsMadness.com Horizon League `Field Player of the Year,' as well as both the CollegeSportsMadness.com 'Freshman of the Year' and Horizon League `Newcomer of the Year.' The redshirt freshman catcher was also joined as a `Player of the Year' award winner by senior first baseman Dara Toman, who took home the Horizon League's `Player of the Year' honor. Both players were also first team `All-League' selections by both the Horizon League and CollegeSportsMadness.com.

In total four different Vikings were honored as `All-League' selections by the two outlets. Outside of McNew and Toman, second baseman Cynthia Woodard was a second team `All-League' selection by the Horizon League and pitcher Susan Knight was a second team `All-League' selection by CollegeSportsMadness.com. McNew, Woodard and Knight were also each `All-Newcomer' selections by the Horizon League.

For Head Coach Angie Nicholson, having this group recognized was a great feeling.

"This is a strong group of young kids and I'm very proud to have them be a part of this program," she said.

Looking at the award winners, McNew led the way for Cleveland State in almost every major offensive category for in 2013. After redshirting the 2012 season due to a torn ACL, she bounced back strong as one of the Horizon League's best players this season. Heading into the league championships the catcher leads the Horizon League in batting average (.414), home runs (18) and runs (41), and is also third in the league in RBI"s with 39. 

Nicholson could not be prouder of how McNew has battled back from her 2012 ACL injury to help lead the Vikings.

"Erica has been a consistent offensive leader for us, I know her injury last year put a lot of things in perspective for her and she learned so much being on the sidelines," Nicholson said. "She worked so hard to come back better than she was before her injury."

"Her numbers speak for themselves, to be able to come in in her first full year and do what she's done on a consistent basis is the sign of a very bright future for her and this program," Nicholson added.

McNew wasn't the only player who shined, as Toman also had a record-breaking year to earn her `Player of the Year' honor. The senior was second on the Vikings in batting average (.364), home runs (14) and RBI's (36), while leading CSU in doubles (9) and triples (3). Those 2013 numbers helped Toman rewrite both the Horizon League and Cleveland State record books. Heading into the league championships Toman owns the Horizon League and Cleveland State home run record (59), Cleveland State RBI record (152), Cleveland State runs scored record (140), and Cleveland State total bases record (431). She also has played and started in the most games in CSU history, at 211 and 210 respectively.

Nicholson knows how hard Toman has worked for this honor, and the Horizon League `Player of the Year' honor is a brilliant end to an incredible regular season career.

"Dara is very deserving of this award, her work ethic and passion for the game shows each and every day," Nicholson said. "I know this award means a lot to her, she has played a major role for us and I can't say enough about how proud I am."

Looking at the other two honorees in Knight and Woodard, both had impressive 2013 seasons to help power CSU.

Freshman Susan Knight led the Vikings' pitching staff all season long, as she finished the year with a 15-9 overall record. Those 15 wins were the most by any CSU freshman pitcher since Amanda Macenko earned 26 during the 2007 season. Looking at 2013's stats Knight led CSU in wins (15), strikeouts (117) and innings pitched (172.2). She also concluded the regular season fourth in the Horizon League in wins.

"Susan has learned a great deal this year coming in as a freshman and carrying the load as our pitcher," said Nicholson on her top pitcher. "She is aware of her weaknesses and knows what she has to do to be better. She is a tremendous fielding pitcher who gets the game, her future is bright."

Cynthia Woodard, who like McNew also missed much off 2012 with an ACL injury, was a constant in the CSU infield at second base all year long. Woodard, who played and started all 46 games on the year, finished fourth on the Vikings in batting average (.262) and hits (20), as well as third on the team in home runs (8).

"Woody has been such a consistent player, I love to watch her play," Nicholson said when talking about her sophomore second baseman. "Her defense has been consistent and she is another player who has grown from her injury last season. I believe she is going to continue to get better every year and be a huge impact player for us."

The Vikings and their `All-League' honorees will be heading to Chicago this week for the Horizon League Championships beginning at 11:00 a.m. CT Tuesday when they take on Wright State in the tournament's first round at UIC.