SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Elon’s Tomeka Watson and Furman’s Lauren Collier have been named the Southern Conference Softball Player and Pitcher of the week, respectively, the league announced Monday. The selections are made by the Southern Conference office.

Watson continued her outstanding play last week, going 8-for-12 (.667) with two RBIs and five runs scored. She went 2-for-3 with a double versus No. 25 North Carolina. The outfielder was 3-for-4 with two stolen bases versus Western Carolina on April 13. She was also 3-for-3 with two RBIs, a double and a home run in the final game versus the Catamounts. Watson is three stlen bases away from becoming only the second player in school history with 100 or more stolen bases.

Junior Lauren Collier recorded a near-perfect week as she hurled a three-hit shutout in a 2-0 win over Charlotte on Wednesday before spinning a three-hit shutout versus the Kansas Jayhawks, who entered the game ranked second nationally with a .355 batting average, in a 2-0 Paladin victory on Saturday. The Maineville, Ohio, native fanned eight batters in 14 innings while allowing just five hits on the week to post a 2-0 record and 0.00 ERA. She dropped her season ERA to 1.90 and improved to 11-8 in the circle. Collier also batted. 273 with a pair of doubles and five RBI on the week.

­Also receiving nominations for player of the week were Appalachian State’s Sarah Warnock, College of Charleston’s Allison Pedigo, Georgia Southern’s Kaitlyn Johnson, UNCG’s Tatiana Alcala, Chattanooga’s Sarah Beth Roberts and Samford’s Shelby Scott.

Also nominated for pitcher of the week were Appalachian State’s Shivaun Landerson, College of Charleston’s Stephanie Saylors, Elon’s Kayla Caruso, Georgia Southern’s Allie Miles, UNCG’s Raeanne Hanks and Chattanooga’s Taylor Deason.

2013 Softball Player of the Week

Feb. 11             Lindsay Thomas, UNCG
Feb. 18             Danielle Vega, UNCG
Feb. 25             Tomeka Watson, Elon
Mar. 4               Lindsay Thomas, UNCG
Mar. 11             Allie Cashion, Appalachian State
Mar. 18             Sieara Bishop, Furman
Mar. 25             Taylor Jenkins, Furman
Apr. 1               Kasey Tydingco, Chattanooga
Apr. 8               Nikki Legg, Furman
Apr. 15             Tomeka Watson, Elon

2013 Softball Pitcher of the Week

Feb. 11             Sarah Purvis, Georgia Southern
Feb. 18             Sarah Purvis, Georgia Southern
Feb. 25             Hope Klicker, College of Charleston
Mar. 4               Shelby Parker, Furman
Mar. 11             Mollie Hanson, Samford
Mar. 18             Alissa Schoelkopf, Appalachian State
Mar. 25             Lauren Collier, Furman
Apr. 1               Raeanne Hanks, UNCG
Apr. 8               Mallory Broome, Western Carolina
Apr. 15             Lauren Collier, Furman