January 18, 2010
HIGH POINT, NC – Conference Carolinas head softball coaches voted Mount Olive College as their preseason poll favorite for the 2010 season while Barton was tapped 7th.
Mount Olive enters the 2010 season as the only Conference Carolinas team to finish in the top three in both the regular season standings and the conference tournament in each of the last three years. The Trojans were 25-18-1 overall last year and finished second in the regular season standings with an 11-5 mark, one game out of first place. The Trojans placed third in the conference tournament after a runner-up finish in 2008.
The Trojans bring back three pitchers who combined for 20 wins last year and who each posted an earned run average under 2.30. Kristin Ware (8-5, 2.07 ERA), Sasha Snyder (6-2, 2.14) and Sarah Saunders (6-5, 2.28) combined for a .625 winning percentage and five of the Trojans' seven shutouts last year. Snyder was named to the All-Conference second team.
Mount Olive also brings back experience behind the plate and throughout the infield, led by All-Conference Carolinas first team shortstop Kelly Minshew. Minshew batted .336 and was among the nation's leaders with 15 doubles. Defensively, she recorded a .950 fielding percentage. Third baseman Allison Czerski batted .278 last season and was named to the All-Tournament Team at the conference tournament. Second baseman Katie Nalley is third among returning players in runs batted. Catcher/first baseman Robbin Kennedy led the Trojans in RBI last year. Mount Olive should also get offensive punch from first basemen/designated hitters Aubrey Reinhard and Erika Taylor, both of whom missed all or most of last year due to injury.
The Trojans will see new faces in the outfield after graduating starters in left, center and right. Anna Munizza, whose three-run double capped a seven-run sixth inning and rallied Mount Olive from a 6-0 deficit in a win over nationally ranked Shippensburg last season, opened the 2009 as the Trojans' leadoff batter and starting centerfielder before being sidelined with an injury.
The Queens University of Charlotte softball team earned the number two spot in the Conference Carolinas preseason coaches' poll this year. In 2009, Queens defeated Coker for the Conference Carolinas Championship, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA regional tournament. Queens was a strong representative for the Conference, as they fought their way to the semi-final game. In the opening game of the Regional Tournament, the Royals fell 2-0 to the No. 1 team in the nation, North Georgia who eventually went on to the Division II World Series.
The Royals, who have been selected No. 2 in the Coaches' Preseason Poll, graduated three seniors, but Head Coach Stacey Schramm hit the recruiting trail hard to fill the voids. Three junior transfers: Maria Goode, Brandy Jester, and Ashley Wilson will help provide leadership and experience to the remaining five returning upperclassmen. Six freshmen have also been added to provide depth in all areas.
Queens returns starting pitchers Chantel Dodge and Brittany Stephens. In 2009, Dodge was a Second Team All-Region performer and tenth in the nation in strikeouts. In addition, Jester and freshman Kelsey Newberg will strengthen and solidify the pitching staff. The Royals open the season on February 10 at Georgia College and State University.
Pfeiffer University has been picked to finish third during the 2010 softball season as voted on by the league's coaches. The Lady Falcons finished last year 26-17 overall, 12-6 inside conference play, finishing third in 2009. Pfeiffer returns their No.1 pitcher from last season, as well as their lead-off hitter, along with adding depth all over the field.
Starter Allison Braswell returns for her junior season after leading the Lady Falcons pitching staff with an 11-8 record and a 2.74 earned run average in 23 appearances. The right-hander completed 13 of those 23 games started limiting opponents to a .220 batting average. Senior Kylee Nichols returns to the leadoff spot for the Lady Falcons after hitting .321 a year ago with 45 hits. Nichols also added one homerun and 15 RBI swiping seven of eight bases. Junior transfer Sarah Waylock will help Pfeiffer add depth in the batting order and provide solid defense in the hot corner in 2010. Waylock hit .355 in 55 games, committing just ten errors at third base, playing with Heartland Community College. Freshman Amber Johnson will look to make an immediate impact patrolling the outfield while providing pop in the batting order.
Rounding out the softball preseason poll 4-11 was: Limestone, Coker, Erskine, Barton, Anderson, St. Andrews, Lees-McRae and Belmont Abbey respectively.
Conference Carolinas Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First place votes in parenthesis)
1. Mount Olive College (1) 85
2. Queens University of Charlotte (4) 80
3. Pfeiffer University (2) 79
4. Limestone College (3) 78
5. Coker College 66
6. Erskine College (1) 63
7. Barton College 43
8. Anderson University 42
9. St. Andrews Presbyterian College 28
10. Lees-McRae College 25
11. Belmont Abbey College 16
Posted by admin under Softball, Uncategorized | Comments (0)
May 13, 2009
Sophomore Barton center fielder Jessica McFadden (Wilmington, NC) added Daktronics Second-Team All-Southeast Region player to her resume this week. McFadden, who batted leadoff for the Lady Bulldogs, missed the last eight games of the season after fracturing her ankle but still had an outstanding year that included a .458 batting average, team-highs of 24 runs scored and 44 hits. She also was 22-of-27 in stolen-base attempts.
Earlier, she was named first-team All-Conference Carolinas. The complete Daktronics team, which is voted on by Sports Information Directors of schools in the Southeast Region, follows:
Pitcher of the Year
Sarah Phillips, North Georgia
Player of the Year
Sherquita Bostick, Georgia College
First Team
Catcher
Jessica Strickland, USC Aiken
First Base
Ashley Seawell, Mars Hill
Second Base
Kat Hammond, Newberry
Third Base
Katie Knapp, Erskine
Shortstop
Jesse Howard, Carson-Newman
Utility
Debra Grijalva, Wingate
Designated Player
Leslee Smith, North Georgia
Outfield
Sherquita Bostick, Georgia College
Courtney McGuire, North Georgia
Jasmine Dobbin, St. Andrews Presbyterian
Pitchers
Sarah Phillips, North Georgia
Toni Flessate, USC Aiken
Mandy Chandler, Georgia College
Second Team
Catcher
Sarah Atkins, Lenoir-Rhyne
First Base
Sarah Little, Carson-Newman
Second Base
Allie Marshall, Catawba
Third Base
Hallie Pettigrew, Wingate
Shortstop
Ashley Harber, Mars Hill
Utility
Noel Belk, Lenoir-Rhyne
Designated Player
Amanda Huckstein, Newberry
Outfield
LaRonda McClain, Wingate
*Jessica McFadden, Barton
Pilar Harden, North Georgia
Pitchers
Amanda Huckestein, Newberry
Brittany Blankenship, Wingate
Michaela Wolf, Francis Marion
Stephanie Templeton, Carson-Newman
Posted by admin under Softball, Uncategorized | Comments (0)
April 16, 2009
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Barton College sophomore outfielder Jessica McFadden and sophomore catcher Casey Strickland each earned spots on the 2009 All-Conference Carolinas All-Conference Softball first team that was announced on Thursday. They were joined by freshmen Kelsey Barnes, a second baseman, and Kendall Street, a pitcher/designated hitter, who were second-team selections.
The speedy McFadden, who broke her ankle late in the season, finished with a phenomenal .458 batting average, stole 22-of-27 bases and scored a team-high 24 runs from the leadoff spot. Strickland is batting .250 heading into the conference tournament, but has been stellar behind the plate, committing no errors in 20 games while allowing just two passed balls.
Barnes is batting .380 with five home runs and 22 RBI while Street hits .320 at the plate and sports a 5-6 overall record on the mound with a 4.72 ERA in 55 innings pitched.
Teams were determined by vote from each head coach of participating league institutions. Nominations are collected and then voted upon by ballot and tallied to determine Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, Coach of the Year, All-Conference First Team, and All-Conference Second Team. Awards were presented at the Conference Carolinas softball team banquet at the Conference Tournament Championships hosted by Coker College at Byerly Park, in Hartsville SC.
This year's award winners are as follows:
Player of the Year:
Christina Woolgar, Limestone College
Freshman of the Year:
Jenna Guse, Limestone College
Coach of the Year:
Jimmy Martin, Limestone College
All-Conference First Team:
Christina Woolgar, Limestone-1B
Lindsey LaPrad, Erskine-2B
Katee Knapp, Erskine-3B
Kelly Minshew, Mount Olive-SS
Mary Lee Giurintano, Queens-C
Casey Strickland, Barton-C
Jasmine Dobbin, St. Andrews-OF
Kat Cahoon, Mount Olive-OF
Jessica McFadden, Barton-OF
Jenny Jackson, Mount Olive-DP
Kailee Munden, St. Andrews -Utility
Kristy Witten, Limestone-P
Shelly Catlett, Coker-P
Amanda Dodson, Lees-McRae-P
All-Conference Second Team:
Shelby Fleming, Pfeiffer-1B
Kelsey Barnes, Barton-2B
Anna Oswald, Coker-3B
Dani Beres, Belmont Abbey-SS
Kayla Williams, Anderson-C
Jessica Velasquez, Mount Olive-C
Kelly Davis, Erskine-OF
Jenna Guse, Limestone-OF
Ranzy York, Pfeiffer-OF
Kendall Street, Barton-DP
Martina Bullard, Pfeiffer -Utility
Chantel Dodge, Queens-P
Sasha Snyder, Mount Olive-P
Allison Braswell, Pfeiffer-P
Posted by admin under Softball, Uncategorized | Comments (0)
March 29, 2009
The visiting Barton College softball team swept Belmont Abbey in a Conference Carolinas doubleheader Sunday afternoon at Crusader Field.
Barton claimed game one by a 6-1 score and took game two by an 8-2 count. Barton improved to 9-15 overall and 4-4 in Conference Carolinas, while the Abbey, playing its home finales of 2009, dipped to 7-23 overall and 8-23 in Conference Carolinas.
In the opener, Barton scored the game's first four runs, plating two in the first on a Claire Severt two-run homer, and added two more in the third to build a 4-0 lead. Belmont Abbey got one back in the bottom of the third as Dani Beres singled home Gina Antonucci, who had earlier reached on a fielder's choice.
That was all of the scoring until the top of the seventh when Barton pushed two runs across, using a double by Kelsey Barnes that scored Stacy Wade. Natalie Phipps followed with a single that scored Barnes for the final run of the game.
Severt earned the win after fanning four in a complete-game effort, allowing one run on six hits. Carrie Markham took the loss after giving up four runs on six hits in five innings, striking out three.
Catcher Alysia Stewart had two of the Abbey's six hits, while Barnes, Severt, Phipps and Amber Fletcher all recorded two hits for Barton, which recorded 10 as a team.
In game two, Barton struck first with a run in the top of the first, but the Abbey would grab the lead in its half of the inning as Antonucci blasted a two-run homer to left center, bringing home Markham, who led off the frame with a single to left.
Belmont Abbey held onto its one-run lead until the fifth inning when Barton exploded for five runs. The victors would add would add two more runs in the sixth to provide the winning margin.
The Abbey finished with six hits as Beres led the way with a pair. Barton recorded 10 as Barnes went 2-for-4 with four runs batted in.
Posted by admin under Softball, Uncategorized | Comments (0)
March 17, 2009
LAURINBURG, N.C.-Bulldogs senior lefthander Claire Severt (Lexington, N.C.) and Knights freshman righthander Ashley Disque (Prince Frederick, Md.) each provided their respective teams with a complete-game shutout as visiting Barton College and host St. Andrews Presbyterian College split Tuesday's Conference Carolinas softball doubleheader by matching 4-0 scores.
The Lady Knights traded their third straight league series as they maintain 13-14 overall and 3-3 conference ledgers. The Bulldogs sustain records of 7-8 and 2-2.
Sophomore leadoff batter Jessica McFadden (Wilmington, N.C.) had two hits in both games for Barton as she extended her hit streak to 15 games to start the season.
Sophomore shortstop Jasmine Dobbin, the reigning Conference Carolinas Player of the week, and junior Brianna Shurtleff (Colton, Calif.) had a hit in each game to lead SAPC on offense.
St. Andrews travels to Due West, S.C., for a Conference Carolinas twin bill against Erskine College on Saturday starting at 2 p.m. Barton returns home for a non-conference double dip against Pace University on Wednesday at 2 p.m.
GAME ONE: Barton 4, St. Andrews 0
Severt (Lexington, N.C.) tossed a two-hit, complete-game as the Bulldogs posted a 4-0 victory in the first game. BC jumped out to a two-run lead in the first inning and it proved to be more than enough run support for Severt, who picked up her fourth win of the season. Severt (4-3) only allowed a pair of infield singles over her seven innings of work.
Juniors Amber Fletcher (Navarre, Fla.) and Rebecca DiPietro (Portsmouth, R.I.) drove in the Bulldogs runs in the first inning with RBI-singles. Barton doubled up its final margin of victory win an unearned run in both the third and sixth.
Barton had nine-hits in the opener including two base hits by both McFadden and junior Natalie Phipps (Durham, N.C.).
Dobbin Shurtleff accounted for the Knights two hits. Disque was tagged with the loss while junior Sarah Applegarth (Gainesville, Ga.) did not allow an earned run in 6 2/3 innings of relief.
GAME TWO: St. Andrews 4, Barton 0
Disque bounced back from a disappointing start in the first game with a complete-game shutout in the nightcap. Disque's first collegiate shutout helped the Knights earn the conference split against Barton with their own 4-0 victory. Disque (4-10) scattered five hits and had three strikeouts in her seven innings.
After three shutout innings, St. Andrews broke through with back-to-back doubles to lead off the bottom of the fourth. Shurtleff just missed a home run to as her double bounced off the left field wall. Junior Danyell Marquez (Riverside, Calif.) plated Shurtleff with a double that just curled out of the reach of the Bulldogs left fielder and bounced inside the foul line.
The Knights added three insurance runs in the sixth inning that was highlighted by consecutive one-run singles by Disque and Dobbin.
The Bulldogs attempted a comeback in the top off the seventh, loading the bases with two outs but Disque was able to force a groundout to preserve the shutout. McFadden had two of Barton's five hits. SAPC collected eight hits including a pair by Marquez.
Senior Kim Page (Fayetteville, N.C.) was charged with the loss allowing two runs over five-plus innings of work. Page (1-2) had four strikeouts.
Posted by admin under Softball, Uncategorized | Comments (0)
March 2, 2009
WILSON, NC — The Barton College softball team has moved its scheduled home doubleheader with N.C. Central from Tuesday to Thursday because of wet grounds.
The two teams will now play a doubleheader Thursday beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Jeffries Field.
The Barton women have played only two of their scheduled 11 games at this point because of weather problems.
Posted by admin under Softball, Uncategorized | Comments (0)
March 1, 2009
WILSON, NC — Heavy rains that are expected to change to snow later tonight wreaked havoc on Barton's scheduled athletic events.
The Barton at Belmont Abbey baseball series, the softball team's foray into the 20-plus team Catawba College Invitational and the golf team's trip to the Richard Rendleman Invitational in Salisbury were all canceled and will not be made up.
The baseball team was scheduled to play three games (two Tuesday and one Wednesday) with visiting Indiana University of Pennsylvania. That series has now been reduced to a doubleheader scheduled to begin at noon on Wednesday at Nixon Field.
As of 5 p.m. Sunday, the top-seeded men's basketball team is still on go to host Limestone, who beat Queens 72-69 in the opening round, in a Conference Carolinas quarterfinal at 7 p.m. Monday in Wilson Gymnasium. If that game cannot be played Monday, it might be played as part of a doubleheader with our top-seeded women's team on Tuesday, with the women tipping at 5:30 and the men at 7:30, but much of that depends on if teams in the women's tournament are able to play on Sunday or Monday……stay tuned for updates!
Posted by admin under Baseball, Golf, Men's Basketball, Softball, Uncategorized, Women's Basketball | Comments (0)
January 30, 2009
HIGH POINT, N.C. — Conference Carolinas head softball coaches voted Coker College as their preseason poll favorite for the 2009 season. The Coker College softball team won their second straight regular season Conference Carolinas Championship in 2008, going 17-1 in conference competition with a 35-12 overall record. Returning to lead the Lady Cobras in her senior season is 2008 Conference Carolinas Player of the Year, Shelly Catlett. Last season, Shelly posted a record of 27-7, with a 1.80 ERA in 233 innings of work. Catlett dominated hitters throughout the season, racking up 229 strikeouts, placing her at the top of the conference and the nation.Also returning from last year's squad is First Team All-Conference designated player, Miranda Klees and 2008 Coker Freshman of the Year, Haleigh Rogers. Along with a cast of newcomers, Coker and 2008 Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year, David Hanna, will be on the hunt to make it three conference titles in a row, while also looking to return to the NCAA Regionals.
The Pfeiffer University softball team earned the number two spot in the Conference Carolinas preseason coaches' poll this year. The Falcons return eight letter winners, including six starters, from last season's Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship team. Highlighting the returnees are Martina Bullard an All-Region 2nd team outfielder, and shortstop Sarah Moore, a conference All-Tournament team member. Pfeiffer completed the 2008
season with a record of 30-23 overall, while going 12-8 in conference play.
Newcomers looking to make their mark with the Falcons this season are pitcher Christie Thomas, as well as third baseman Heather Nobles and second baseman Kylee Nichols. The Falcons added eight newcomers to the roster,
consisting of three junior college transfers and five freshmen.
After winning a share of the regular season conference championship in 2007 and reaching the championship game of last year's Conference Carolinas Tournament, Mount Olive College hopes to continue its success in 2009. The Trojans have posted a school record 68 wins over the last two seasons.
Mount Olive returns Academic All-America second team and All-Region first team designated hitter/pitcher Jenny Jackson. The 2007 Conference Carolinas Player of the Year has been among the nation's hitting and pitching leaders during her first two years at Mount Olive.
Also returning are senior pitcher Anna Turvin and senior outfielder Kat Cahoon, both of whom earned All-Tournament honors at last year's conference tournament. The Trojans add three more pitchers and bring back all of their position players except catcher and second base
Rounding out the softball preseason poll 4-12 was: Erskine, Limestone, Anderson, Queens, Barton, St. Andrews, Belmont Abbey and Lees-McRae.
Conference Carolinas Pre-Season Coaches Poll(First place votes in parentheses)
1. Coker College (5) 93
2. Pfeiffer University (3) 85
3. Mount Olive College (1) 79
4. Erskine College (2) 76
5. Limestone College 65
6. Anderson University 64
7. Queens University of Charlotte 36
8. Barton College 32
9. St. Andrews Presbyterian College 26
10. Belmont Abbey College 25
11. Lees-McRae College 24
Posted by admin under Softball, Uncategorized | Comments (0)
May 14, 2008
Barton freshman outfielder Jessica McFadden, recently saluted as the Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year, has added All-South Atlantic Region to her resume.
McFadden, from Wilmington, N.C., was named Second Team on the 2008 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-Region Team. McFadden was the Lady Bulldogs' leading hitter at .388 this season and was successful in 36 of 38 stolen-base attempts. She rapped 59 hits in 44 games, scored 38 runs and drove in 11. She also had a .917 fielding percentage while making some spectacular plays.
Three players from Conference Carolinas made one of the two South Atlantic squads. Mount Olive designated hitter Jenny Jackson made the All-South Atlantic First Team while Coker first baseman Kimberly Atkinson joined McFadden on the second team.
Posted by admin under Softball, Uncategorized | Comments (0)
May 9, 2008
Barton College held its annual athletics ceremony Thursday afternoon, recognizing student-athletes in every sport for their athletic and academic successes achieved over the 2007-08 season.
The event, held on campus at Hardy Alumni Hall, is something Barton takes pride in. Unlike many schools, Barton is able to recognize all of its athletes at once.
"To our credit, it's nice that we can hold this event and recognize all of the teams in the same event," Gary Hall, Barton's director of athletics, said after wrapping up the ceremony for the 19th time.
"It's a great tradition that we have here and we did it in under two hours, which is a minor miracle," Hall joked. "It's a great day for us to be Bulldogs and share our recognition in events together."
Most Valuable Players were selected in each sport and other athletes were recognized for various achievements in their respective sports, such as sportsmanship, most improved and defensive excellence.
Junior golfer Jonathan Burke and freshman softball player Jessica McFadden were tabbed the Kiwanis Athletes of the Year. Burke joined Courtney Faircloth as the only golfers to earn the distinction. McFadden's selection was also special since few players have been chosen in their first year.
"Jessica and Jonathan both had extraordinary years of competition here and they were both excellent choices," praised Hall. "We had others who would have also been excellent choices, but these two represent us very well."
Burke was saluted as the Conference Carolinas Player of the Month three out of five possible times, won two individual titles and was named conference Player of the Year. Still, he genuinely did not expect to receive the honor.
"I was surprised to be honest with you," he said. "Golf isn't one of those sports you think about for this. So I was very, very surprised but also very honored. I thought (men's basketball player) Brian Leggett was going to win it."
McFadden, the team's center fielder, was also taken aback by the news despite posting a .388 average, 59 hits, 38 runs and 36 stolen bases — all team highs.
"I achieved a lot, but I did not think I was going to get this — I'm very shocked," she said. "I hope this can show the team next year that we can achieve much more and maybe we'll have more awards. I tried to have a good year with my offense and defense and just the simple things, but not to achieve this. It's a huge bonus and I can't wait for next year."
Leggett, a senior, was named team MVP, the top rebounder and the sportsmanship award-winner for the men after averaging 11.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Sara Fleming, a redshirt junior, was named MVP of the women's team. Fleming started all 27 games and averaged 12.1 points and scored 20-plus points six times.
Allie Wilkerson, the Conference Carolinas Player of the Year, was named MVP of the women's soccer team and Travis Holloman, one of the program's all-time bests, was tabbed baseball MVP. William Stakes, a freshman from Greenfield, garnered Most Improved for men's soccer (no MVP was selected).
Others honored were recently departed tennis coach Brian Mastin, registrar and interim women's tennis coach Sheila Milne, women's basketball coach Wendee Saintsing (300 wins) and longtime athletic trainer Randy Pridgen (20 years of service).
Other most valuable players were: Travis Holloman, baseball; Allie Wilkerson, women's soccer; Jessica Galasso, women's tennis; Scott Reddick, men's tennis; Michelle Walker, volleyball; and Gina Castro, women's cross country.
Grabbing the other major awards were: softball player Jayme Beacham, Edward L. Cloyd Scholarship Award given to the four-year student-athlete with the highest GPA through seven semesters; baseball player Brandon Sneed, Ernest Brewer Memorial Scholarship Award given to the non-senior student-athlete best combining academic and athletic performance; Sara Fleming, Ned Liggon Memorial Scholarship Award given to the non-senior student-athlete from North Carolina best combining academic and athletic performance, as well as contributions to student life. Senior baseball player John Miller was also recognized for being Barton's nominee for the prestigious Murphy Osborne award given to the conference's top student-athlete.
(Wilson Daily Times staff writer Brad Howell contributed to this article)
Posted by admin under Golf, Softball, Uncategorized | Comments (0)
Subscribe to Feed