April 17, 2008

Lenoir-Rhyne Places Seven On The 2008 All-South Atlantic Conference Softball Teams

Senior Meredith O’Connor named SAC Pitcher of the Year for the second straight season

Rock Hill, S.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne College Softball Team placed seven on the 2008 All-South Atlantic Conference Softball Teams league officials announced today.  The announcements were made at the conference’s annual softball banquet as part of the 2008 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Softball Tournament.

Head Coach Shena Hollar was named SAC Coach of the Year for the second time in her career.  Hollar also picked up her 400th career victory earlier this afternoon as the Bears defeated Newberry in the first round of the 2008 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament.

Senior pitcher Meredith O’Connor (Charlotte, N.C./Appalachian State Univ.) was named to the All-SAC First Team and earned SAC-Pitcher-of-the-Year honors for the second straight season.  O’Connor was also the statistical champion for most pitching victories (28).

Senior centerfielder Taylor Queen (Conover, N.C./St. Stephens HS) received All-SAC First-Team accolades for the third straight season, making her the first player in L-R history to do so.

The Bears also placed three infielders on the all-league first team.  Senior first baseman Leah Krohn (Taylorsville, N.C./Alexander Central HS), junior second baseman Noel Belk (Charlotte, N.C./Queens Univ.) and redshirt freshman shortstop Kat Rivers (Royston, Ga./Franklin County HS) all took home first-team honors.

L-R’s outfield was deemed as best in the conference as well. Along with Queen, sophomore right fielder Brittany Cherry (Myrtle Beach, S.C./Carolina Forest HS) garnered first-team laurels.

Senior catcher Karie Pushard (Harrisburg, N.C./Central Cabarrus HS) received all-league second-team honors as well.

As a team, Lenoir-Rhyne topped the league in batting average (.334), slugging percentage (.508) and home runs per game (.84).

The All-South Atlantic Conference Softball Teams are voted on by the league’s eight coaches.

2008 SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE
SOFTBALL AWARD WINNERS

FIRST TEAM

Catcher - Kristina Osborn, Mars Hill
Pitcher - Meredith O’Connor, Lenoir-Rhyne
Pitcher - Zoe Heim, Carson-Newman
First Base - Leah Krohn, Lenoir-Rhyne
Second Base - Noel Belk, Lenoir-Rhyne
Shortstop - Kat Rivers, Lenoir-Rhyne
Third Base - Sara Henn, Lincoln Memorial
Third Base - Hallie Pettigrew, Wingate
Outfield - Natalie Haithcox, Mars Hill
Outfield - Taylor Queen, Lenoir-Rhyne
Outfield - Brittany Cherry, Lenoir-Rhyne
Utility - Sara Powell, Newberry

SECOND TEAM
 
Catcher - Karie Pushard, Lenoir-Rhyne
Pitcher - Brittany Blankenship, Wingate
Pitcher - Stephanie Templeton, Carson-Newman
First Base - Ashley Seawell, Mars Hill
Second Base - Whitney Hickam, Carson-Newman
Shortstop - Ashley Basilicato, Tusculum
Third Base - Mandy Stevens, Carson-Newman
Outfield - Jackie Adams, Lincoln Memorial
Outfield - Whitney Kee, Carson-Newman
Outfield - Heather Winchester, Wingate
Outfield - LaRonda McClain, Wingate
Utility - Mira McPeek, Lincoln Memorial

COACH OF THE YEAR – Shena Hollar, Lenoir-Rhyne

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR – Natalie Haithcox, Mars Hill

PITCHER OF THE YEAR – Meredith O’Connor, Lenoir-Rhyne

PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Sara Henn, Lincoln Memorial

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE – Kristina Osborn, Mars Hill

STATISTICAL CHAMPIONS

Sara Henn, Lincoln Memorial - Batting Average, .500; Slugging Percentage, .910; On-Base Percentage, .560; Home Runs Per Game, .290

Jackie Adams, Lincoln Memorial - Runs Scored Per Game, 1.09; Triples Per Game, .09

Alisa Burk, Lincoln Memorial - Doubles Per Game, .47

Natalie Haithcox, Mars Hill - RBIs Per Game, 1.24

Jessie Howard, Carson-Newman - Stolen Bases Per Game, .920

Zoe Heim, Carson-Newman - Earned Run Average, 1.01; Strikeouts Per Game, 9.53

Meredith O’Connor, Lenoir-Rhyne - Pitching Victories, 28

Lenoir-Rhyne - Batting Average; .334; Slugging Percentage; .508; Home Runs Per Game, .84

Carson-Newman - On-Base Percentage; .418; Runs Scored Per Game; 6.31; RBIs Per Game, 5.65; Stolen Bases Per Game, 2.1; Earned Run Average, 1.11; Strikeouts Per Game, 9.07