White makes second-team All-MEAC  

DAYTONA BEACH, May 6, 2009 – Sophomore Ryanne Hill came into the 2009 season with a new understanding on hitting. She didn’t need to hit home runs in order to drive in runs. Hill’s acceptance of this fact led her to being named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Softball Player of the Year Wednesday night.

Hill (Charlotte, N.C., Independence) is batting .381 with five home runs and 46 RBIs. Going into this week’s MEAC Tournament, Hill ranks among the top three in the conference in hitting, RBIs, hits (59) and doubles. She ranks among the nations’ best in RBIs and doubles (15).

Hill leads the Aggies into the MEAC Tournament starting Thursday at 10 a.m., against Howard University.

“(Head coach Mamie) Jones helped me get better in the batting cage,’’ said Hill. “She worked with me and taught me I didn’t have to rely on power hits to be successful. When I came to the plate with runners on base, I was confident because I knew I could get them home without hitting a home run. Coach taught me how to be a better hitter.

Hill said rehabilitating her knee during the off-season also helped. She had a personal trainer to help her. The conditioning provided her with extra conditioning going into the 2009 season.

Hill moved from the No. 6 spot in the lineup as a freshman to the No. 3 spot as a sophomore. Hill did not waste her opportunity to be a run producer for the Aggies. She hit a walk-off single to help the Aggies defeat UNC Greensboro for the first time in 17 tries.

Hill won MEAC Player of the Week honors twice during the season. She showcased how much of an improved hitter she was by striking just 18 times in 155 batting attempts. It was an amazing low number for a player with a .613 slugging percentage. For her career, Hill is a career .348 hitter with 11 home runs and 83 RBIs.

“I’m excited and grateful,’’ said Hill, who was named a first-team all-conference outfielder on Wednesday. “I’m going to continue to work hard during the tournament to make sure I’m providing my team with the effort they need to win.”

Teammate Yahamma White earned second-team all-conference honors on Wednesday night as an infielder. White, a junior out of Lancaster, S.C., is hitting .343 and has stolen 15 of 17 bases on the season. She has a chance to lead the Aggies in runs scored for the third straight season.