Bobcats bag four All-PBC honors 

COLUMBUS, Ga. | Four Georgia College & State University softball players brought home All-Peach Belt Conference awards, including the program's first Freshman of the Year.

Karlie Gutierrez swiped two conference awards as she was named the PBC Freshman of the Year presented by College Ave. Student Loans and was named to the All-PBC second team.

In her freshman campaign, Gutierrez swung the hot stick with a .414 batting average with seven doubles, four triples and 12 home runs to bring around 57 RBI with a slugging percentage of .766. She ranks fourth in the conference and 49th nationally in batting average. Gutierrez sits atop the conference rankings in RBI and triples at the number two spot adding a 21st national ranking in RBI.

Gutierrez is the first Peach Belt Freshman of the Year in the GCSU softball program history.

Kam Caldwell was the lone Bobcat to nab a All-Peach Belt first team mention after a hot offensive season. The third baseman had 60 hits on the season to muster a .411 batting average which is third best in the conference. Good for fourth in the conference, she had 14 doubles while also adding a triple and two home runs to account for 17 multi-base hits. Caldwell also added 26 RBI and a slugging percentage of .562. With an on base percentage of .479, she was able to swipe 25 stolen bases on the year to lead the Peach Belt and rank 17th nationally. Caldwell marks the 13th All-PBC first-team selection in program history.

Emily Hobbs snagged an All-PBC second team bid after a stellar season. Hobbs had 68 knocks this season to account for a .370 batting average to score 54 runs and drive in 37 RBI in the leadoff spot. She has 13 doubles, a triple and 12 home runs to account for a .647 slugging percentage. Hobbs accumulated a .417 on base percentage leading to her going a perfect 20-for-20 on stolen bases. In the conference Hobbs ranks first in hits good for 30th nationally and fourth in stolen bases. She also ties Gutierrez as third in the PBC in home runs.

Mackenzie Martin rounds out the all-conference winners with a second-team bid. Martin has 50 hits on the season to bring her to a .327 batting average. She had six two base knocks and two triples to lead her to a .392 slugging percentage. Martin was able to find her way on base for the Bobcats giving her a .392 on-base percentage. She also one of two players in the Peach Belt with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage along with Gutierrez.

With these four all-conference winners this brings the programs total to 62 and the first since the 2022 season. This is the first All-PBC honor for each recipient.