6/5/19

CLEVELAND, Ga. (June 4, 2019) – Karley Hobbs, the two-time Appalachian Athletic Conference pitcher of the year, earned a spot on the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-America second team, announced the league Tuesday as selected by the NAIA All-America committee. Hobbs is the first ever TMU Lady Bear to receive this national accolade.

“I am so proud of Hobby,” Head Coach Jenni Shepard said. “She is truly deserving of this recognition as she had another stellar campaign this season, highlighted by setting a new TMU single season record for lowest ERA at 1.21 and not losing a single game during the regular season. The stats speak for themselves.

What impresses me most is that while she is happy for this recognition, I know that she plays for the love of the game, not the recognition. She is fierce competitor who knows what it takes to win and is willing put the work in on a daily basis to make it happen. This recognition is not something that was achieved over the course of 1 or 2 months or seasons, but over 10 plus years of hard work.

I am so proud of Hobby as she is the first All-American for TMU softball. I can’t wait to see what she and the TMU Bears are able to achieve in the years to come. This is one of those proud coach moments where I am reminded how lucky I am that she calls me coach.”

Hobbs led her Lady Bears to back-to-back AAC regular season championships from the mound. The sophomore went perfect in the regular season with a record of 28-0, with two saves, and an overall record of 29-4. Hobbs recorded an AAC ERA of .80 and overall ERA of 1.21, while holding her opponents to an overall batting average of .194.

Hobbs finished the year ranked fifth in the country in wins (29), sixth in total innings pitched (231.100) and 10th in ERA (1.21). Additionally, Hobbs recorded a season high of nine strikeouts in April (vs. Bluefield) and tallied a total of 58 assists and eight putouts in the field. Hobbs also only allowed one homerun in all 231.1 innings pitched.

The standout sophomore now has a career ERA of 1.54 and 60-11 is her overall record.