SoCon Softball Player, Pitcher of the Week announced

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – ETSU third basemen Riley Croley and Buccaneers right-hander Gabrielle Fowler have been named the Southern Conference softball player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for their efforts from Feb. 23-March 1. The awards are selected by the league office.

Croley led ETSU at the plate in the team’s two wins over Alabama A&M on Feb. 28. In game one, the native of Gray, Tennessee, had her hands in each of the team’s runs, going 2-for-3 in a 4-3 victory. After an RBI, stolen base and a run in the first inning, Croley hit the game-winning two-RBI single in the sixth inning to put the team up for good. In game two, the freshman had a hit, a stolen base and a pair of walks in a 2-0 win. Croley also turned in a perfect fielding percentage during the doubleheader.

Fowler had a stellar performance inside the circle in ETSU’s 4-3 win over Alabama A&M. Entering the game in the fifth with the team down 3-2, the junior from York, Pennsylvania, was perfect over the final three frames. Fowler struck out four batters and allowed zero baserunners during her outing. 

ETSU (9-1) travels to Rock Hill, South Carolina, this weekend for the Winthrop Invitational on March 6-8. The Buccaneers will take on Georgia State, Winthrop and Bucknell during the event.

Other nominees for player of the week: Olivia Shaw (Samford), Ava Cowart (Chattanooga), Nya South (UNC Greensboro), and Sydney Dirks (Western Carolina)

Other nominees for pitcher of the week: Kristyn Embler (Furman). Brooklyn Schroyer (UNC Greensboro), and AG Batson (Western Carolina)
 
2026 SoCon Softball Players of the Week
Feb. 9               Brianna Stanley, So., INF, Wofford

Feb. 16             Olivia Shaw, Jr., SS, Samford

Feb. 23             Brianna Stanley, So., INF, Wofford

March 2            Riley Croley, Fr., 3B, ETSU

2026 SoCon Softball Pitchers of the Week

Feb. 9               Madison Starr, Jr., Mercer

Feb. 16             Abby Greenwood, Jr., Wofford

Feb. 23             Brooklyn Shroyer, Jr., UNCG

March 2            Gabrielle Fowler, Jr., ETSU