ST. CHARLES, Mo. – It was announced on Tuesday by the College Sports Communicators (formerly known as CoSIDA) that five Lions from the Lindenwood softball program earned Academic All-District honors. These student-athletes excelled on the diamond and in the classroom during the 2024-25 academic year helping the Lions to their first ever win at the Ohio Valley Conference Championships.

"So incredibly proud of these student athletes," said head coach Erin Brown. "Not only do they contribute on the field, but they're doing excellent work in the classroom as well. I love that they're being recognized for their accomplishments."

Dallis Darnell
Junior | INF | Troy, Mo. | Business Administration
Darnell is a three-year member of the Lindenwood Lions club and posted a cumulative GPA of 3.55 as of the Spring 25 semester. She played and started in all 49 games this past spring for the Lions ranking sixth on the team in batting average with a .267.

Overall, Darnell had 131 at-bats posting 35 hits including three doubles and one triple. She had 13 total RBI while scoring 17 runs. At the plate she had nine multi-hit games for the Lions while posting two multi-RBI games. The primary second baseman for the Lions, Darnell had a .986 fielding percentage while posting 78 put-outs and 62 assists which ranks third on the team.

Tori Hatton
Junior | C | Troy, Mo. | Communications
An All-OVC Second Team selection, Hatton has been part of the Lindenwood Lions program for three seasons. Hatton is a communications major and has a 3.87 cumulative GPA. She was one of four Lions to play and start all 49 games for the Lions this season and posted a .269 batting average.

Hatton was Lindenwood's primary catcher and posted 291 put-outs and had 29 assists while posting a .979 fielding percentage. Behind the plate, Hatton threw out a team-high seven runners. She was third on the team in hits with 36 while leading the team in doubles (8) and home runs (8). Hatton was also second on the team in RBI with 24 and posted a .504 slugging percentage.

Jolie McMinn
Junior | UTIL | Parkville, Mo. | Exercise Science
McMinn played and started in 46 games for the Lions and has been a three-year member of the team. Appearing at first base, catcher and designated player, McMinn had 132 at-bats posting a team-high 39 hits including six doubles, one triple and six home runs. She also was the lone Lion to have over 30 RBI ending the season with 32. During her time at Lindenwood, McMinn has posted a 3.88 cumulative GPA.

During the 2025 season, McMinn had 11 multi-hit games which was tied for the team lead. She was also second on the team in multi-RBI games with six including a five RBI game during a 10-5 win over UT Martin. McMinn had a .984 fielding percentage which included 109 put-outs and 11 assists. She had a .387 on-base percentage and.492 slugging percentage.

Ryleigh Owens
Junior | P | Edwardsville, Ill. | Sports Management
Owens is a one-year member of the Lindenwood Lions program after transferring from Parkland College. A sports management major, Owens posted a 3.73 GPA during her first season at Lindenwood. One of Lindenwood's primary starting pitchers, Owens made All-OVC Newcomer Team after appearing in 29 games posting a 11-9 record with a 2.89 ERA.

Her 11 wins this season were tied for the fourth most in the OVC. She tossed four complete games in her first season at Lindenwood will picking up two saves. Owens pitched in 111.1 innings this season while allowing 46 runs while striking out 69 batters. She held opponents to a .262 batting average helping Lindenwood to their third straight OVC Championships appearance.

Avery Wapp
Junior | P | Bloomington, Ill. | Therapeutic Recreation
An All-OVC Second Team selection, Wapp was one of Lindenwood's starting pitchers during the 2025 season. A Therapeutic Recreation major, Wapp posted a cumulative GPA of 3.71. She was second in the OVC this season with 138 strikeouts while posting a 9-9 record over 32 appearances. She tossed eight complete games including throwing a one-hitter in the OVC Tournament against UT Martin.

Wapp led the team in saves with six after throwing 128.1 innings. She had two shut-outs and had a 2.40 ERA which was the lowest in the OVC during the season. Wapp held opponents to a .222 batting average which was also the lowest in the OVC. In 14 games this season, Wapp had at least five strikeouts including a career-best 11 against SIUE in a 1-0 shutout victory.