SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chattanooga’s Sam Taylor and Georgia Southern’s Sarah Purvis 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.
Taylor led the Mocs to a 3-2 record at the UNLV Easton Desert Classic over the weekend to earn Player of the Week honors. The sophomore outfielder hit .500 in five games for the Mocs, driving in four runs on nine hits. Taylor picked up an RBI and scored a run in UTC’s 8-0 win against BYU and went 1-for-3 at the plate in a 2-1 loss to Boise State. She had two hits in four at-bats in a 6-4 loss to No. 10 Oregon before finishing the weekend with a pair of three-hit games against Nevada and Portland State. Taylor went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a pair of doubles in a 10-6 win over Nevada on Saturday. On Sunday, Taylor went 3-for-4 in a 9-3 win over Portland State with a double and an RBI.
Purvis earns her second consecutive Pitcher of the Week honor after striking out 19 batters in 20 innings at the FIU Tournament over the weekend. She tossed consecutive complete games on Friday and Saturday, earning wins over Wisconsin and Florida Gulf Coast, respectively. Her eight strikeouts led the Eagles to a 4-0 victory over Wisconsin and she allowed just two hits in GSU’s 6-2 win over FGCU. Purvis struck out seven without allowing a walk in six innings of work in a 2-0 loss to tournament host Florida International. She finished the weekend with a 1.40 ERA and surrendered 13 hits in 20 innings pitched.
Also receiving nominations for player of the week: Appalachian State’s Ashley Seering, Elon’s Alaina Hall, Georgia Southern’s Shelby Morrill, UNCG’s Nicole Thomas and Samford’s Megan Dowdy.
Also nominated for pitcher of the week: Appalachian State’s Shivaun Landeros, Elon’s Caitlin O’Shea, Samford’s Mollie Hanson and Chattanooga’s Taylor Deason.
2014 Softball Player of the Week
Feb. 10 Emily Cameron, Elon
Feb. 17 Sam Taylor, Chattanooga
2014 Softball Pitcher of the Week
Feb. 10 Sarah Purvis, Georgia Southern
Feb. 17 Sarah Purvis, Georgia Southern