Four Student-Athletes Honored for Excellence in Competition
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference announced its May athletes of the month today, highlighting excellence among student-athletes during the month. The athletes of the month are nominated by each member institution and selected by the conference office.
BASEBALL
PLAYER
Victor Roache, Georgia Southern, So., OF
Roache belted eight home runs and five doubles in 17 games during the month of May while helping Georgia Southern to win the SoCon Baseball Championship in Charleston. The sophomore All-American batted .345, drove in 28 runs and scored 15 times. He registered a .873 slugging percentage while reaching base at a .532 clip, aided by 17 walks.
Other Nominees: Ross Heffley (Western Carolina), Rob Kral (College of Charleston), Brad Felder (The Citadel), Niko Fraser (Elon), Saxon Butler (Samford) and David Roney (Wofford).
PITCHER
Jake Zokan, College of Charleston, So., LHP
Zokan recorded a 4-1 record with a 0.77 ERA in six appearances and three starts for the Cougars. The southpaw saved his best performance of the season for what would be his final appearance, tossing eight strong innings against Georgia Southern in an elimination game for the Cougars on May 28. Zokan scattered five hits and allowed one run with seven strikeouts as the Cougars won 9-1. In total, he surrendered two earned runs in 23.1 innings of working, striking out 22 while walking just six.
Other Nominees: Bryce Hines (The Citadel), Jared Kernodle (Elon), Chris Beck (Georgia Southern), Josh Martin (Samford), Andrew Chilcoat (Western Carolina) and John Cornely (Wofford).
SOFTBALL
PLAYER
Michelle Fuzzard, Chattanooga, Jr., UT
Fuzzard, a Huntington Beach, Calif., native, compiled a .475 batting average in the month of May with three doubles, four home runs and 24 RBIs. The SoCon Player of the Year also slugged .850 and had a .531 on-base percentage as the Lady Mocs won their 11th SoCon Tournament Title. Fuzzard had five multi-hit and six multi-RBI games in 13 games.
Other Nominees: Lizzy Vaughn (College of Charleston) and Carleigh Nestor (Elon).
PITCHER
Nikki Waters, Chattanooga, Sr., P
Waters, a senior from Soddy Daisy, Tenn., posted a 2.02 ERA in May while going 6-1 in eight appearances. Waters was the force behind Chattanooga's SoCon tournament run as she compiled a 3-0 record and gave up just four hits and one earned run while striking out 19 in 15.1 innings of work. The Lady Moc senior also had a great showing in the NCAA Regional, as Waters took a no-hitter into the final inning and fanned nine Jackson State hitters in Chattanooga's 8-1 win.
Other Nominees: Stephanie Saylors (College of Charleston).
Southern Conference May Athletes of the Month
Baseball Player Victor Roache, Georgia Southern
Baseball Pitcher Jake Zokan, College of Charleston
Softball Player Michelle Fuzzard, Chattanooga
Softball Pitcher Nikki Waters, Chattanooga