GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Davenport junior, Rachel Griffin, was named Second-Team All-Region by the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) on Tuesday with voting conducted by the region's sports information directors. Griffin, the Second-Team All-GLIAC performer in 2021, was one of 14 student-athletes named to the second team along with 14 more on the first team.

Before her 2020 season was cut short, Griffin was arguably the hottest hitter in the country with a near-.400 batting average (.392) and a ridiculous .941 slugging percentage. Fast forward to 2021 and the Jackson native has been nearly every bit as productive. Named GLIAC Player of the Week for the second time in her career on April 19, Griffin is third in the GLIAC in slugging percentage (.647), third in total bases (86), fourth in the GLIAC in runs scored (36), fourth in triples (4), fourth in home runs (8), fifth in RBI (30), 10th in on-base percentage (.421), 11th in walks (15), and 11th in batting average (.353).

In the program's career record book, Griffin now ranks sixth in doubles (35), sixth in RBI (121), sixth in total bases (283), sixth in walks (57), tied for sixth in home runs (23), seventh in on-base percentage (.417), eighth in batting average (.353), eighth in slugging percentage (.584), eighth in hits (171), and 10th in runs scored (97). This season alone, the Jackson native finished with 12 multi-hit games, including three in a row on April 17-18, one of which was a three-hit effort.
 

---

Midwest Region Player of the Year: Bailey Byers, Sr., Catcher, Malone
Midwest Region Pitcher of the Year: Hallie Waters, Sr., Pitcher, Indianapolis
 
First Team
Pitcher: Hannah Beatus, Jr., Grand Valley State (North Aurora, IL)
Pitcher: Hallie Waters, Sr., Indianapolis (Boonville, IN)
Pitcher: Kenzee Smith, Fr., Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN)
Catcher: Bailey Byers, Sr., Malone (Alliance, OH)
First Base: Gianni Iannantone, Sr., Indianapolis (Orland Hills, IL)
Second Base: Sam Catron, Sr., Hillsdale (Medina, OH)
Shortstop: MaKray Odom, Sr., Trevecca (Dickson, TN)
Third Base: Emily O'Connor, So., Indianapolis (New Palestine, IN)
Outfield: Mackenzie Bedrick, Fr., Southern Indiana (Brownsburg, IN)
Outfield: Natalie Stepanenko, Sr., Hillsdale (St. Clair Shores, MI)
Outfield: Taylor Shingler, Jr., Maryville (Lockport, IL)
Designated Player: Malone Thrift, Fr., Trevecca (Cross Plains, TN)
Utility (Non-Pitcher): Calla Wickenhauser, Jr., Illinois Springfield (Maroa, IL)
Utility (Pitcher): Alyssa Callans, Sr., Maryville (Joliet, IL)
 
Second Team
Pitcher: Lexie Storer, Sr., Rockhurst (Olathe, KS)
Pitcher: Kelsey Byers, Jr., Malone (Alliance, OH)
Pitcher: Dana Weidinger, Sr., Hillsdale (Bath, OH)
Catcher: Madison Stoner, Sr., Hillsdale (Hunker, PA)
First Base: Nikoma Holmen, Sr., Grand Valley State (Wyoming, MI)
Second Base: Haylie Foster, Sr., Indianapolis (Plainfield, IN)
Shortstop: Lexi Betz, So., Malone (East Canton, OH)
Third Base: Rachel Griffin, Jr., Davenport (Jackson, MI)
Outfield: Hannah Hollister, Fr., Grand Valley State (Corunna, MI)
Outfield: Emma Walbert, So., Truman (Sherman, IL)
Outfield: Renee Bielawa, Jr., Hillsdale (Woodridge, IL)
Designated Player: Emily Clark, Sr., Rockhurst (Kansas City, MO)
Utility (Non-Pitcher): Carly Sperlich, So., Trevecca (Hendersonville, TN)
Utility (Pitcher): Megan Fisher, Sr., Findlay (Wapakoneta, OH)

Story by: Cooper Weidenthaler