SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chattanooga’s Courtney Ball and Samford’s Abby Swaney have been named the Southern Conference softball player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for games played Feb. 15-21, the conference office announced Monday.
 
Ball made her collegiate debut by going 8-for-13 from the plate, adding five RBIs, a run scored, and a home run as the Mocs went 2-3 at the Chattanooga Challenge to open the 2021 campaign. The freshman from Macon, Georgia, hit a blistering .615 and combined to go 6-for-8 with two doubles, a home run and five RBIs in Chattanooga’s pair of wins. Ball collected a hit in all four of her games played this weekend including two three-hit performances. In Saturday’s 16-11 win over Indiana State, Ball went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and a double and belted a go-ahead, two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning. In the 7-5 win over Kennesaw State on Saturday, Ball went a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a double.
 
Swaney pitched nine innings and struck out 11 batters, while walking just two, in a 5-4 extra-innings win over Jacksonville State on Feb. 21. The native of Springville, Alabama, and preseason pitcher of the year allowed just one earned run as she helped the Bulldogs (2-2) to their first victory of the season.
 
Others nominated for player of the week: Claire Ginder (Furman), Elisa Rosado (Mercer), Kayleigh Willis (UNCG) and O’Neil Roberson (Samford)
 
2021 SoCon Softball Players of the Week
Feb. 15 – Bailey Huneycutt, SS, Jr., Western Carolina
Feb. 22 – Courtney Ball, 3B, Fr., Chattanooga
 
2021 SoCon Softball Pitchers of the Week
Feb. 15 – Jayme Eilers, So., Western Carolina
Feb. 22 – Abby Swaney, R-Fr., Samford