SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chattanooga catcher Baileigh Pitts and Mocs right-hander Taylor Long have been named the Southern Conference softball player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for games from Feb. 26-March 3. The awards are selected by the league office.
 
Pitts hit .500 in four games over the weekend for the Mocs at the Central Arkansas Tournament in Conway, Arkansas. On March 1, the sophomore went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs in a 5-0 win over Central Arkansas. The next day, Pitts had three hits, including a home run and a double, an RBI and two runs scored as Chattanooga defeated Central Arkansas 5-4. In the final game of the weekend on March 3, the native of Ringgold, Georgia, was 2-for-3 with a triple, an RBI and three runs scored in a 13-4 victory against Saint Francis. Pitts raised her batting average from .154 to .275 following her big weekend.
 
Long had three appearances, throwing one complete game, inside the circle last week. In the team’s win against Central Arkansas on March 1, the sophomore threw seven innings, allowing one hit and zero runs while striking out eight batters. The Calhoun, Georgia, native had a relief appearance against Central Arkansas on March 2, coming in the game during the third inning with the score tied 4-4. Long tossed 4 1/3 innings in the contest, striking out seven batters and allowing just one hit. In the final game of the weekend, Long struck out the one batter she faced in the fifth inning against Saint Francis.
 
Chattanooga (13-7) will play in the Madeira Beach Invitational in Madeira Beach, Florida, on March 8-10. The Mocs will face Troy, Columbia, Central Michigan, LIU and Manhattan over the weekend.
 
Other nominees for player of the week: Sara Muir (ETSU), Ashlee Lykins (Furman), Anna White (UNCG), McKayla Cothran (Samford) and Ally Bigham (Wofford)
 
Other nominees for pitcher of the week: Sara Muir (ETSU), Lauralee Scott (Furman), Gabby Ellis (Mercer), Jordyn Partain (Samford) and Abby Greenwood (Wofford)
 
2024 SoCon Softball Players of the Week
Feb. 12                                   Tori Hedgecock, Jr., INF, Mercer
Feb. 19                                   Sara Muir, Jr., 1B/P, ETSU
Feb. 26                                   Anna White, Sr., 1B, UNCG
March 4                                   Baileigh Pitts, So., C/INF, Chattanooga
 
2024 SoCon Softball Pitchers of the Week
Feb. 12                                   Margaret Axelson, So., Wofford
Feb. 19                                   Taylor Miller, Fr., Furman
Feb. 26                                   Maddie Spell, R-Jr., UNCG
March 4                                   Taylor Long, So., Chattanooga