SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Mercer outfielder Abby Walsh and Western Carolina pitcher Courtney Buchanan have been named the Southern Conference Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for games held Feb. 27 through March 5, the league announced Monday. Selections are made by the Southern Conference office.
Walsh averaged .389 from the plate, slugged .722 and achieved an on-base percentage of .520 in 18-at bats for the Bears in seven contests last week. The true freshman also collected eight RBIs, homered twice, including in Mercer’s 4-0 upset over No. 12 James Madison, and stole two bases on the week.
Walsh came through with a crucial hit in the Bears’ 8-7 win over Florida A&M on Wednesday after singling to left field in the bottom of the sixth inning to score teammate Megan Lane, tying the game, 6-6. Against No. 12 James Madison on Saturday, Walsh blasted a three-run home run to right-center field, scoring, once again Megan Lane and also Taylor Miller to put the Bears’ up 3-0 in the first inning. Walsh’s three-run shot against JMU proved to be the game-winning hit as the Bears’ never gave up a run over the 12th-ranked Dukes.
Buchanan achieved an ERA of 0.58 in 12 innings pitched last week against USC Upstate, North Florida, Mount Saint Mary’s and La Salle, surrendering just one earned run on the week. The Nebo, North Carolina, native struck out 12 batters, six of which came in the Catamounts’ 8-3 defeat over Mount Saint Mary’s on Saturday. Buchanan managed to post her first win of the season at North Florida on Friday after the Ospreys scored only two runs, neither of which was earned, in WCU’s 4-2 win in Jacksonville, Florida.
The senior currently leads the SoCon in ERA (1.78) and is second in the conference in opposing batting average (.206).
Other nominees for player of the week: Danielle Knoetze (ETSU), Kalie Hicks (Furman), Emily Acquaviva (UNCG), Shelby Maze (Samford) and Emily Weatherman (Western Carolina).
Other nominees for pitcher of the week: Emily Demonte (Furman), Maxine Rodriguez (Mercer), Kylie Bouplon (UNCG) and Jessica Stone (Samford).
2017 Softball Players of the Week
Feb. 13 – Tiffany Laughren, ETSU, OF
Feb. 20 – Jasmine Palmer, UNCG, UT
Feb. 27 – Megan Lane, Mercer, C
March 5 – Abby Walsh, Mercer, OF
2017 Softball Pitchers of the Week
Feb. 13 – Madison Ogle, ETSU
Feb. 20 – Lindsey Bert, Furman
Feb. 27 – Lindsey Bert, Furman
March 5 – Courtney Buchanan, Western Carolina
-www.SoConSports.com-