SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Western Carolina outfielder Hunter Gibbons and Mercer right-handed pitcher Stella Preston have been named the Southern Conference Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for games held April 3-9, the league announced Monday. Selections are made by the Southern Conference office.
Gibbons hit .545 and slugged 1.273 last week as Western Carolina went 2-1 against Chattanooga, notching its first two SoCon wins of the season in the Catamounts’ third conference series of 2017. The sophomore posted two multiple hit games, while scoring four runs and driving in six. On the week, Gibbons recorded two doubles and two home runs, including a three-run shot in the Catamounts’ game one win over the Mocs on Saturday.
In the Catamounts’ first SoCon win of the season in which they defeated Chattanooga, 11-2, in six innings, Gibbons went a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate and was just a triple shy of hitting the cycle, posting two singles, a double and a three-run shot over the left field wall in the sixth inning. In game two of Saturday’s doubleheader at Chattanooga, the Woodleaf, North Carolina, native went 2-for-4 at the plate, once again, posting a double and a home run in the Catamounts’ 6-2 win over UTC. Gibbons wrapped up the series recording a run and a walk in WCU’s 7-4 loss on Sunday.
The weekly award is Gibbons’ second of her career as she won her first on May 9, 2016 – the last award of the 2016 season.
Western Carolina (10-21, 2-7 SoCon) completes a five-game road swing on Wednesday traveling to Radford for a doubleheader that is set to begin at 3 p.m. (ET).
Preston garners her second pitcher of the week distinction this season after going 1-1 with a save in three appearances for the Bears’ against UNCG this past weekend. The freshman posted a clean 0.00 ERA in 13.0 innings of action, while allowing just two hits in addition to striking out nine Spartan batters.
Preston recorded her fourth save of the season, a mark that leads the SoCon and ranks 12th nationally, in the Bears’ 6-2 win over UNCG in game one of Saturday’s doubleheader. She saw three innings of relief in the circle and faced 10 batters – just one over the minimum – as she struck out two and allowed only one hit in handing the Spartans their first SoCon loss of the season.
In game two of Saturday’s doubleheader against UNCG, Preston retired 10 consecutive batters in route to her fifth win of the season. The Safety Harbor, Florida, native did not allow a hit during her five innings in the circle of game two, while striking out four and walking only one Spartan batter.
Preston saw five innings of work in the Bears’ 2-1 loss on Sunday, allowing only one hit and no walks. While she was charged with the loss, the Spartans’ lone run with Preston in the circle, which came in the third inning, was unearned.
For the season, Preston leads the SoCon in opposing batting average (.201) and ranks third in ERA (2.79).
Mercer (19-23, 5-4 SoCon) returns to action on Thursday, April 13, as the Bears travel to Columbia, South Carolina, to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks at 5 p.m. (ET). The contest will air on SEC Network+.
Other nominees for player of the week: Taylor Carter (ETSU), Emma Andrew (Mercer) and Madison Couch (Samford).
Other nominees for pitcher of the week: Madison Ogle (ETSU), Jessica Stone (Samford) and Lily Hayes (Western Carolina).
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 6 – Abby Walsh, Mercer, OF
March 13 – Emily Acquaviva, UNCG, OF
March 20 – Abby Sweeney, Samford, OF
March 27 – Emma Andrew, Mercer, SS
April 3 – Madison Armstrong, Western Carolina, C
April 10 – Hunter Gibbons, Western Carolina, OF
2017 Softball Pitchers of the Week
Feb. 13 – Madison Ogle, ETSU
Feb. 20 – Lindsey Bert, Furman
Feb. 27 – Lindsey Bert, Furman
March 6 – Courtney Buchanan, Western Carolina
March 13 – Lindsey Bert, Furman
March 20 – Jessica Stone, Samford
March 27 – Stella Preston, Mercer
April 3 – Madison Ogle, ETSU
April 10 – Stella Preston, Mercer
-www.SoConSports.com-