LAKELAND, Fla. - After closing out their regular season last week, the Southeastern University softball team saw nine student-athletes recognized with Sun Conference postseason accolades, highlighting a successful year on the field.
The most prestigious individual honor went to senior
Chapel Cunningham, who was named the 2025 Sun Conference Player of the Year. She started every game and filled the stat sheet with 65 hits, 45 runs scored, 17 RBI, and 36 stolen bases, all while batting .411. Defensively, she tallied 75 putouts and 70 assists while anchoring the shortstop position for the Fire.
Maria Zelenka was named the 2025 Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year — Southeastern's first recipient of the honor since 2019. Her numbers were jaw-dropping: a 1.00 ERA overall and an even stingier 0.80 ERA in conference play. She held opposing hitters to a .192 batting average while compiling a 17–3 record, including 13 complete games, and six shutouts.
The third special award went to first-year player
Hailey Bradley, who was named 2025 Sun Conference Freshman of the Year. Stepping up after the injury of 2024 First-Team selection
Hailey Brooks, Bradley delivered at the plate and in the field. She batted .359 with 33 hits, 14 RBIs, and 17 runs scored while posting a .975 fielding percentage with 73 putouts.
Moving on to First-Team Sun Conference, Southeastern had a conference-leading six players honored.
Cunningham earned her fourth consecutive first-team selection, capping off a remarkable career. She was joined by
Leah Gonzalez, who collected her third straight first-team honor during what has become one of her most impressive seasons yet.
Ella Brooks returned to the first-team for the second year in a row, while sophomore
Raylei McKinney broke through with her first career first-team selection, building on a strong sophomore campaign.
On the mound, Zelenka and
Edan Playa earned first-team honors as two of the most dominant arms in the NAIA. Playa repeated her impressive freshman performance with a standout sophomore season.
Three Fire student-athletes were named Second-Team Sun Conference. Third Baseman
Lauren Sekinger earned her first career all-conference nod, while Bradley and transfer
Kassidy Moore also received recognition after standout debut seasons.
The Fire begin postseason play tomorrow night in Clearwater, Florida, opening the Sun Conference Tournament at 6:30 p.m. against either 3-seed Keiser or 6-seed Webber International.
For a full tournament schedule and ticket information, please click
here.
