SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Elon’s Carleigh Nester and Chelsea White 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.

Nester went 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and a home run against North Carolina A&T on May 1. She went 1-of-2, scored two runs, drove in two and added the go-ahead home run against Chattanooga on May 4 in the Phoenix’s 6-4 game one win against the Lady Mocs. Nester also had a hit and a pair of putouts in the Phoenix’s 2-1 game two victory against the Lady Mocs. The senior drove in the game-winning run on a sac fly in the Phoenix’s 4-3 win over the Lady Mocs on Sunday, May 5, hitting 1-for-2 in the contest, scoring a run and drawing a free pass. Nester has set a new single-season high in home runs with 11 on the season and has reached base safely in 12 consecutive games. This is her second player of the week honor of the season.

White set a new career-high with eight strikeouts against North Carolina A&T in the Phoenix’s 1-0 game one win against the Aggies on May 1. She pitched a complete game and allowed only two hits in that win against the Aggies and walked only one batter. White earned another complete game win versus Chattanooga in game one against the Lady Mocs on Saturday, May 4, in Elon’s 6-4 win, where she struck out five batters in the contest. The sophomore also picked up the win in relief on Sunday, May 5, after pitching 1.0 inning of work in the Phoenix’s 4-3 victory against Chattanooga. In her last eight appearances (seven starts), White has an 5-3 record with an ERA of 1.97, a pair of complete game shutout wins, 27 strikeouts in 42.2 innings pitched and has won three straight games for the Phoenix.

­Also receiving nominations for player of the week were Appalachian State’s Lindsay Loudermilk, College of Charleston’s Allison Pedigo, Furman’s Stephanie Field, Georgia Southern’s Kourtny Thomas, UNCG’s Lindsay Thomas, Samford’s Misha Aldridge and Chattanooga’s Sam Taylor.

Also nominated for pitcher of the week were Appalachian State’s Shivaun Landeros, College of Charleston’s Valerie Cassell, Furman’s Shelby Parker, and Georgia Southern’s Sarah Purvis.

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
Apr. 22             Taylor Sigmon, Western Carolina
Apr. 29             Carleigh Nester, Elon
May 6               Carleigh Nester, 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
Apr. 22             Shelby Scott, Samford
Apr. 29             Lauren Collier, Furman
May 6               Chelsea White, Elon