SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Mercer infielder Tori Hedgecock and Wofford right-hander Margaret Axelson have been named the Southern Conference softball player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for their efforts over the first weekend of the season. The awards are selected by the league office.
 
Mercer’s Hedgecock hit .625 to help the Bears to a 3-1 start to the season at the Heart of Georgia Classic in Macon, Georgia. The Valdosta, Georgia, native opened the season going 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, three RBIs and a run scored as Mercer defeated Dayton, 5-3, on Feb. 9. Later that day, Hedgecock went 2-for-3 with a double, three runs scored and an RBI in the Bears’ 11-9 victory over Drexel. On Feb. 10, the junior had a home run, three walks, three runs scored and three RBIs in Mercer’s 12-5 win against Drexel. Hedgecock concluded her weekend drawing a walk and getting hit by a pitch in a 2-0 setback versus Dayton. For the weekend, Hedgecock finished with two doubles, two home runs, seven RBIs and seven runs scored.
 
Wofford’s Axelson went 1-0 in two appearances over the weekend during the Terrier Invite in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The sophomore from Chamblee, Georgia, recorded a strikeout in 2/3 innings of work as the Terriers fell 9-0 to Eastern Kentucky on Feb. 8. The next day, Axelson tossed a complete game, striking out four batters and surrendering just two hits in a 3-0 victory against Robert Morris. Wofford’s win over Robert Morris marked the first win in program history.
 
Mercer (3-1) travels to Georgia State on Valentine’s Day before playing in the JU/UNF Invitational in Jacksonville, Florida, on Saturday and Sunday. The Bears will play Jacksonville, UNC Wilmington, Notre Dame and North Florida over the weekend. Wofford (3-1) hosts the Wofford Invitational on Friday through Sunday. The Terriers welcome Northern Kentucky, Saint Francis and Rhode Island for the tournament.
 
Other nominees for player of the week: Brylee Mesusan (ETSU), Kiley Perry (Furman), Brooklynn Maxwell (UNCG), Sarah Squillace (Samford), Acelynn Sellers (Chattanooga), Savannah Baldwin (Western Carolina) and Hope Ingle (Wofford)
 
Other nominees for pitcher of the week: Lauralee Scott (Furman), Grace Roark (Mercer), Jordyn Partain (Samford), Izzy Allen (Chattanooga) and Tessa Juett (Western Carolina)
 
2024 SoCon Softball Players of the Week
Feb. 12                                   Tori Hedgecock, Jr., INF, Mercer

2024 SoCon Softball Pitchers of the Week
Feb. 12                                   Margaret Axelson, So., Wofford