Players of the Month: McMillan, Gottshall, Groff, Beachum

Each month, Softball America’s staff votes on a hitter, pitcher and a pair of freshmen that made a difference in the past month. Here are the choices for the month of April during the 2024 season.

Statistics based on games from April 1 to April 30

April Player of the Month: Cori McMillan, Virginia Tech

April Statline: 19-44 (.432), 1 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR, 25 RBI

The Radford transfer went on a hot streak in April, breaking the single-season program home run record (20). It’s hard to stand out in the Hokies’ deep lineup but McMillan can continue to add to her record with a strong finish to the regular season.

April Pitcher of the Month: Payton Gottshall, Tennessee

April Statline: 6-2, 1 SV, 0.49 ERA, 37 SO, 41.2 IP

Gottshall has been great in April, only allowing three earned runs. The graduate pitcher picked up wins over Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi State. She and her bullpen-mate Karlyn Pickens create a dynamic duo that has led Tennessee back to the top of the SEC.

April Freshman Pitcher of the Month: Maddia Groff, Southern Illinois

April Statline: 10-2, 1 SV, 1.03 ERA, 96 SO, 67.2 IP

Groff continues to be special for Southern Illinois. The freshman saw her overall ERA rise in April from 0.60 to 0.75, if that tells you how good she’s been at year. Groff had more strikeouts in April with three outings with 13-plus Ks.

April Freshman Player of the Month: Jaysoni Beachum, Florida State

April Statline: 21-52 (.404 BA), 3 2B, 7 HR, 26 RBI

Beachum is racing toward the National Freshman of the Year award. The third baseman broke Sydney Sherrill’s program freshman RBI record in April. She had her best power month of the season with seven home runs while maintaining her .447 batting average, which ranks in the top 10 nationally.