Citing burnout following the 2021 season, Haskins walked away from softball following two seasons at AUM. However, after a year of working, she decided to follow Bubel to Stillman, as the duo made their NAIA debut together in 2023. 

"Awards really mean nothing at the end of the day. It's all about the journey. This season means a lot because I didn't think I'd be able to play again, so it's really important to make the most of this year and have a great time with my teammates ... I'm just taking it all in," Haskins said. 

Haskins, a two-time Shelby County Reporter Player of the Year at Thompson High School, posted her best collegiate season yet, hitting .461 from Sillman's leadoff spot. She not only led the Tigers' offense but all SSAC hitters. She collected a SSAC-best 59 hits and 55 runs through 44 games played and 43 starts. Nearly half of her hits came from bunt singles or beating out an infield hit. She slugged four home runs, recorded eight doubles and seven triples. One of her biggest highlights was breaking both the Stillman College and SSAC single-season stolen bases records. She closed the regular season with 49 stolen bases.

"Lauren has been incredible. I think she knew what her job was going to be as soon as she got here. Her job is to get on base, and that's what she does, and then gets a few steals here and there," Head Coach Joel Penfield said.

Bubel, who started at third base, was selected to the First Team as an athlete. She led the Tigers with 35 RBI, the third-most in the SSAC. She hit .342 with a team-best 19 extra base hits, including 13 doubles, which was second in the SSAC, and three home runs. She also had three triples. Her 69 total bases and 17 walks ranked fifth in the SSAC. 
 

COACH OF THE YEAR
Joel Penfield was selected the Southern States Athletic Conference Coach of the Year after leading Stillman to a program-best 33 regular season wins. It is his first career honor. The Tigers enter the SSAC Championships as the No. 4 seed with a 33-15 record (.688), which is a near mirror opposite of the 2022 season's 13-35 final record. Stillman not only improved its win percentage by .471 from the previous year, but recorded a pair of Top 20 wins, including the program's first NAIA Top 10 victory. Stillman College led the SSAC in team earned run average (ERA) at 1.94 and scored the most runs of any conference team (249). The Tigers' 217 RBIs were second in the SSAC. Penfield's Tigers posted a 25-5 record on its home field and had a team batting average of .296, which ranked third in the SSAC. Penfield recently reached the 100 wins mark for his career.

"It's a great honor," Penfield said. "It all goes back to the girls. It's a great group we have this year. We have a lot of unfinished business, and we want to keep this thing going."

 

In addition to First Team All-SSAC selections Haskins and Bubel, three players were named to the All-SSAC Second Team: Anniston Jones, Lexi McCray and Taylor Roland. 

Jones, a junior catcher from Springville, Alabama, produced the third-best batting average on the team at .329 and second-best against SSAC teams, hitting .333. The transfer from Southern Union Community College had 26 total hits, 14 runs scored and 11 RBI. Defensively, she produced the third-best fielding percentage on the team at .980 with only three errors in 117 chances. Jones was also named Stillman's selection to the SSAC Champions of Character Team.

McCray, a junior pitcher from Brookwood, Alabama, led Stillman with a 1.76 ERA and 44 strikeouts. She posted an 8-7 overall record and team-best three saves. She held opponents to a .256 batting average through 83.2 innings pitched in the regular season.

Roland, a junior outfielder from Millbrook, Alabama, hit .308 through 37 games played. Her .418 on base percentage was third on the team with 20 hits and 13 walks. She scored 17 runs and drove in seven RBI.

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

Freshman pitchers Faith Byram of Hueytown, Alabama and Jasmine Wade of Harvest, Alabama were each named to the SSAC All-Freshman Team. The duo combined for 14 wins in the circle in their inaugural college season. 

Byram had a team-best nine wins (9-4), while producing a 1.78 ERA through a team-best 90.2 innings pitched. She struck out 28. She also had one save.

Wade posted a 5-1 record with two saves in 12 pitching appearances. She was one of three Stillman pitchers with an ERA below 2.00, posting a 1.97 ERA through 49.2 innings pitched. She struck out 27.

GOLD GLOVE

Not only was Haskins highlighted for her play at the plate, but she also received a SSAC Gold Glove for producing a 1.000 fielding percentage through 30 games playing the outfield. She had 39 chances in left field, recording 38 putouts and one assist. Overall for the season, Haskins recorded a .989 fielding percentage, recording one error when playing second base. She had a total of 91 chances in the field during the regular season, with 70 putouts and 20 assists, giving her 32 putouts and 19 assists playing the infield. 

Bailie Seales, a senior shortstop from Centerville, Alabama, also received a SSAC Gold Glove. Seales recorded a .983 field percentage through 44 games at shortstop. With 180 total chances, Seales had 117 assists and 60 putouts. She committed three errors and turned three double plays. 

BARNES & NOBLE ALL-ACADEMIC

Stillman College led all schools with 15 selections to the Barnes & Noble All-Academic Team, placing 65% of its roster on the academic award list. The team has 20 of 23 players with a 3.0 GPA or higher, including four freshmen. To be eligible for the honor, student-athletes must have attended at least three full-time semesters and completed a minimum of 24 hours, while maintaining a 3.25 GPA or higher. 

Elisabeth Boso
Rebecca Brogden
Madison Bubel
Carolyn Carter
Erristen Evans
Lauren Haskins
Anniston Jones
Mackenzie Kirby
Katelynn Madison
Savannah Mayes
Lexi McCray
Brooklyn Pennington
Taylor Roland
Bailie Seales
Abby Shelby