Softball Awards Announced

April 13, 2005 – The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its All-Conference awards for softball.  Methodist and Peace placed the most athletes on the teams, with eight and seven members, respectively.  Methodist's Kristen Kennedy has been named the Player of the Year while teammate Jennifer Sorensen has been named the Pitcher of the Year.  On the rookie side, Methodist's  Candace Hudgins is the Rookie of the Year while N.C. Wesleyan's Libby Fulford is the Rookie Pitcher of the Year.  Greensboro coach Kama Tucker has been tabbed the 2005 Coach of the Year.   

Kennedy, a sophomore from Greensboro, NC, played a key role in the Monarchs capturing the regular season title.  She hit .372 with 30 RBI's this season.  The third baseman was first in the league in doubles and second in runs batted in.  She also posted a .899 fielding percentage as the Monarchs claimed the regular season title with a conference mark of 13-2 and 30-8 overall.

A junior from Spotsylvania, VA, Sorensen led the Monarchs to a 30-8 overall record, including 13-2 in the USA South.  Her performance was instrumental in Methodist winning the regular season title and the top seed in the upcoming tournament.  She posted a 14-4 record on the year including 6-1 in conference action.  She had a 1.77 ERA as she led the conference in saves, with three on the year. 

Hudgins a freshman from Chesapeake, VA, helped the Monarchs claim the regular season title.  The first baseman batted .400 as she led the conference in RBI's (32) and was second in homeruns (5) and slugging percentage (.620).  She also belted ten doubles as she helped Methodist win the USA South regular season championship.

A Rocky Mount freshman, Fulford led the Bishops to a tie for third place in the Conference with a 19-15 overall record and 8-6 in the Conference.  She posted a 7-3 record with a 2.26 ERA.  Fulford stuck out 49 batters in 67.2 innings of action.

Tucker is in her second season at the helm of the Pride.  She led her team to a second place finish in the regular season and a second seed in the upcoming conference tournament.  The Pride were 21-10 overall, including 9-5 in the Conference. 

The 2005 USA South Softball All-Conference Teams follow:

First Team 1B -  Candace Hudgins, Methodist 2B -  Jami Reed, Ferrum 3B -  Kristen Kennedy, Methodist SS -  Ashlee Bass, N.C. Wesleyan C -    Sarah Heenan, Peace DP - Erica Rutledge, Peace Util - Tana Bartek, Shenandoah OF - Mary Greenway, Ferrum          Frances Constantino, Greensboro          Shelley Hinson, N.C. Wesleyan P -    Jennifer Sorensen, Methodist          Lauren Pleasant, Peace

Second Team 1B -  Jamie Pittman, Greensboro 2B -  Nicole Dobbins, Peace 3B -  Katie Jimmo, Averett SS -  C.J. McQueen, Christopher Newport C -    Lisa Jackson, Methodist DP -  Lindsay Leitao, Methodist Util -  Jenna Smith, Peace OF -  Jenee Johnson, Greensboro          Jen Simms, Greensboro          Adrienne Acosta, Methodist P -    Michelle Prewitt, Christopher Newport          Kim Cox, Ferrum

Honorable Mention
Stacey McLenaghan, Averett
Heather Mull, Averett
Andrea Rohde, Christopher Newport
Krystal Ellis, Ferrum
Erica Brown, Greensboro
Whitney Williams, Greensboro
Rebekah Kelly, Methodist
Amy Faucette, Methodist
Libby Fulford, N.C. Wesleyan
Courtney Tucker, N.C. Wesleyan
Tanya Lauranzon, N.C. Wesleyan
Jodie Brandon, Peace
Summer Greer, Peace