ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico softball team garnered two All-Mountain West honors, as the conference announced sophomore Chelsea Johnson to first team and senior Mariah Rimmer to second team. The Mountain West announced the teams Tuesday afternoon.
The all-conference honor is the first one for Johnson. She led the team with .391 batting average, 11 home runs, a .816 slugging percentage and a .440 on-base percentage. In conference games only, Johnson led the conference with her 11 home runs, 1.123 slugging percentage and .491 batting average. She ranked fourth in on-base percentage (.523) and third in RBI (33).
“Chelsea is so deserving of this honor,” said head coach Erica Beach. “She stepped up huge for us in conference and put up some incredible numbers. She single handedly helped us win so many games.”
Johnson’s season was highlighted by two grand slams and a game where she hit three home runs, tying the MW record for most home runs in a game. Johnson was named Mountain West Player of the Week twice this season.
Rimmer repeats as a second team honoree, as she was named to second team for her efforts in 2015. Rimmer was second on the team with a .390 batting average. She led the team and conference with 67 hits. She finished with a team-best 14 doubles and three triples to go along with seven home runs. She also led the team with 12 stolen bases, seven of those coming in conference play to rank fourth.
“Mariah had a breakout year for us,” said Beach. “She was a consistent force for us in the lineup and provided power and speed to the middle of the lineup. I’m so proud of was she brought to the table.”
In the season finale, Rimmer broke UNM’s career hit record with her 243rd hit of her career. She finished with a total of 244 career hits. She also holds UNM’s career batting average and total base records and is among the top 10 in all offensive categories except for one.
The Lobos finished the season with a 23-27 overall record. In the Mountain West, the team finished in seventh place with an 8-15 record.