SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford’s Ashlyn Barnes and Furman’s Lindsey Bert have been named player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for games played April 16-22, the conference office announced Monday. This is the 10th weekly award of Bert’s career, tying her with Georgia Southern’s Sarah Purvis for the most career weekly pitching awards in conference history.
Barnes helped lead the Bulldogs to a 2-2 record last week, recording seven hits, four RBIs and three runs scored. The freshman started the week with three hits, two RBIs and one run scored in a midweek win over Austin Peay on April 18. Barnes, who also stole a base in the contest, hit a triple in the 8-4 win. In game one of the doubleheader with Mercer on April 21, Barnes tallied two hits, two runs and one RBI as well as two stolen bases. The Calhoun, Georgia, native also had one hit and one RBI in Samford’s 7-3 win over the Bears. Barnes finished the week with at least one hit in each game, a .538 batting average and went a perfect 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts. The shortstop leads the conference with 120 assists this season.
Bert had another impressive week in the circle, helping Furman to a three-game conference sweep over Western Carolina. The left-hander went 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA and fanned 23 batters while issuing just two walks in 12 innings to record back-to-back shutouts. The Tallahassee, Florida, native started the weekend with a five-inning, one-hitter and fanned nine batters in Saturday’s 8-0 series opening win. Bert then threw seven innings, allowing two hits and striking out 14 in Sunday’s series finale. The senior faced just four above the minimum over two games and surrendered three hits in 12 innings of work to improve to 21-8 with a 1.68 ERA and nation-leading 272 strikeouts this season. Bert, who also helped herself out on the offensive end with three RBIs, two doubles and a home run in the series, leads the SoCon with 204.0 innings pitched this season.
Others nominated for player of the week: Marissa Guimbarda (Furman), Quirisa Mauga (Mercer) and Madison Armstrong (Western Carolina).
Others nominated for pitcher of the week: Jill McElderry (Mercer) and Taylor DeCelles (Samford).
2018 SoCon Softball Players of the Week
Feb. 12 – Marisa Sholtes, 1B, RJr., UNCG
Feb. 19 – Makenna Matthijs, OF, Fr., UNCG
Feb. 26 – Caroline Taylor, 1B, RSr., Mercer
March 5 – Shelby Maze, OF, Sr., Samford
March 12 – Candace Johnson, OF, RSr., Furman
March 19 – Makenna Matthijs, OF, Fr., UNCG
March 26 – Makenna Matthijs, OF, Fr., UNCG
April 2 – Shelby Maze, OF, Sr., Samford
April 9 – Lindsey Bert, DP, Sr., Furman
April 16 – Shelby Maze, OF, Sr., Samford
April 23 – Ashlyn Barnes, SS, Fr., Samford
2018 SoCon Softball Pitchers of the Week
Feb. 12 – Emily Demonte, Jr., Furman
Feb. 19 – Emily Demonte, Jr., Furman
Feb. 26 – Lindsey Bert, Sr., Furman
March 5 – Jill McElderry, Sr., Mercer
March 12 – Stephanie Bryden, Jr., UNCG
March 19 – Madison Ogle, Sr., ETSU
March 26 – Alicia Bazonski, Sr., UNCG
April 2 – Stephanie Bryden, Jr., UNCG
April 9 – Lindsey Bert, Sr., Furman
April 16 – Celie Hudson, So., Chattanooga
April 23 – Lindsey Bert, Sr., Furman