Sonoma State senior Lindsay Emmel has been named the California Collegiate Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year after leading the conference in strikeouts and opponent’s batting average.

Emmel, who sat out last season due to major shoulder surgery, returned to post a 16-9 record and 1.70 ERA with 165 strikeouts in 156 innings. Opponents are hitting .176 against the Atascadero native.

Emmel was one of three Seawolves honored by the CCAA after leading SSU to a 33-21 regular-season record, the program’s most wins in a season since 1997.

Sophomore second baseman Kayla Ledford and senior designated hitter Nicole Cordova were named to the CCAA second team. Ledford is hitting .319 with a team-high 32 RBIs and 27 steals. Cordova is hitting .305 with two homers and 24 RBIs. She has 22 walks and seven strikeouts in 141 at-bats.

The fourth-seeded Seawolves open the four-team CCAA Tournament today against No. 1 Humboldt State, the defending DIVISION II national champions, in Stockton.