ASHLAND – The Southern Oregon University softball team hopes its best season in more than a decade will yield its first national postseason appearance since 2005, but the Raiders have already earned the respect of the Cascade Conference.

The All-CCC teams and Gold Glove winners were announced Monday by the league office. Jessica Pistole, in her second year at SOU, was named the coach of the year after leading the Raiders (36-16 overall) to a CCC-best record of 20-8 in conference games and a West Division title at 15-5 – their first title of any kind in 11 years.

SOU had three first-team selections in senior pitcher Sydney White, junior second baseman Kayleen Smith and sophomore shortstop Kelsey Randall. Freshman pitcher Victoria Mackey landed on the second team, junior outfielder Tyler Burke received honorable, and Randall and senior third baseman Alexa Gonzalez took Gold Gloves for their defensive prowess.

Oregon Tech's Ali Graham was named the player and newcomer of the year, and Corban's Jessica Holsinger the pitcher of the year. In all, their were 18 first-team selections, 10 second-teamers and one Gold Glove for every position.

White (14-9 overall) cut her earned-run average (2.46) in half compared to last season and was especially sharp in conference play, going 11-6 with a 1.88 ERA over 104 innings, 11 complete games and a pair of shutouts. She ended the conference season with a string of 11 straight starts in which she allowed two earned runs or less. On SOU's career lists, she ranks third in wins (36), third in innings pitched (427) and fourth in strikeouts (307).

Mackey teamed up with White in the circle to give SOU its first conference ERA title since 2005 by producing one of the best seasons ever for a Raider freshman pitcher. Overall, Mackey is 16-3 with a 2.42 ERA and just 24 walks in 124 1/3 innings, and in conference play she went 8-2 with a 2.67 ERA.

Smith, in her first season with the Raiders, solidified the middle of their infield and their order. She's batted .396 with 13 extra-base hits, 37 runs scored and 37 RBI; set a conference record with 43 stolen bases in 46 attempts; and set an SOU record with an 18-game hitting streak.

Randall experienced no letdown after becoming an NAIA All-American as a freshman. She's in line to become the first Raider to hit over .400 in consecutive seasons (.401), her 34 stolen bases have already given her the SOU career record (68), and she currently ranks third in Raider history in hits (157) and has matched the team career record for runs scored (103). With her outstanding range and throwing arm she's also become a more consistent defensive presence, committing just eight errors with a fielding percentage of .961 that led all CCC shortstops for her second straight Gold Glove.

Burke became a key cog in SOU's lineup with a .382 average during conference play that included eight extra-base hits for a team-best slugging percentage of .600. Overall, she's hit .361 with 21 runs scored and 17 RBI.

Gonzalez has been steady at the plate with a .307 average but was recognized for her excellent defense. She committed nine errors at third base after totaling 12 last season and 28 her first two years as SOU's regular shortstop. During the CCC Tournament, she broke the Raider record for career starts (183).

SOU will find out if it received an at-large bid to the 40-team NAIA World Series Opening Round when the field is announced Tuesday.