The USA South Athletic Conference has released its 2017 All-Conference listing in softball with five Lady Lions being named to the honor highlighted by Piedmont’s MELISSA ECKMAN taking Pitcher of the Year honors.
Eckman was Rookie of the Year a season ago going 2-for-2 on yearly USA South honors.
Eckman earned Pitcher of the Year as well as a nod on the first team all-conference listing while making the first team West Division listing as well. The sophomore from Perry, Georgia is 13-5 in the circle this season with the second most wins of any pitcher in the league while coming in fourth in ERA posting a 1.86.
Joining Eckman on the West Division first team listing was second baseman ALLYSON GENTRY who posted a .263 batting average this season starting all 38 contests.
Coming in on the second-team West Division listing were first baseman HANNAH HOBAN, shortstop AUDREY ESAKOFF and pitcher SARAH WALKER. Hoban hit .414 on the year putting her seventh in the league in batting average while coming in eighth in slugging percentage. Esakoff started in 36 contests for the Lady Lions at shortstop posting a .942 fielding percentage.
Walker posted a 1.76 ERA in her senior season ranking her third in the league posting a 12-8 record in the circle.
Freshman RAYVEN LAWRENCE was also honored as the team’s representative for the All-Sportsmanship Team.
The Lady Lions are preparing for the USA South Conference Tournament this weekend as they shared the regular season West Division championship and earned the #1 seed for the tournament. Piedmont hosts Maryville College Saturday for a best of three series beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday at 2 & 4.
The 2017 USA South Softball All-Conference Team:
| First Team All-Conference |
| 1B – Heather McLean, William Peace 2B – Sam Bird, Mary Baldwin 3B – Lindsey Wiggins, William Peace SS – Jessica Long, Averett C – Emily Barrs, LaGrange DP – Haley Ervin, Meredith Util – Kaitlyn Aherron, Averett OF – Samantha Hall, Averett OF – Samara Miller, Huntingdon OF – Sarah Watson, Meredith P – MELISSA ECKMAN, Piedmont P – Sydney Vaughn, Salem |
| First Team West Division | Second Team West Division | |
| 1B – Briana Crumley, Salem 2B – ALLYSON GENTRY, Piedmont 3B – Jordan Brett, Covenant SS – Jennifer Vitarelli, Salem C – Emily Barrs, LaGrange DP – Brianna Morris, Salem Util – Katelin Richardson, LaGrange OF – McKenzie Brunel, LaGrange OF – Samara Miller, Huntingdon OF – Hannah Ogle, Salem P – MELISSA ECKMAN, Piedmont P – Sydney Vaughn, Salem |
1B – HANNAH HOBAN, Piedmont 3B – Morgan Brewer, Maryville SS – AUDREY ESAKOFF, Piedmont C – Alexus Murray, Maryville DP – Madyson Gibbins, Covenant OF – Ashton Hayden, Maryville OF – Breanna Herman, Salem OF – Jenna Roberts, Maryville P – Lauryn Smith, Salem P – SARAH WALKER, Piedmont (Note: Only one nominee, thus no 2B or Util) |
| All-Sportsmanship |
| Katie Bender, Agnes Scott Taylor Hodges, Averett Hannah Talley, Covenant Marieka Pierce, Ferrum Kaylee Johnson, Greensboro Samara Miller, Huntingdon Adrienne Little, LaGrange Dana Cromer, Mary Baldwin Jessica McMahan, Maryville Charley Cox, Meredith Savannah Dunn, Methodist Abigail Leonard, N.C. Wesleyan RAYVEN LAWRENCE, Piedmont Katie Bilbrey, Salem Quanetria “MJ” Jackson, Wesleyan Katelyn McLamb, William Peace |
