SoCon Softball Player, Pitcher of the Week announced

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Western Carolina third baseman Maya McPherson and UNCG right-hander Brooklyn Shroyer have been named the Southern Conference softball player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for their efforts from March 16-22. The awards are selected by the league office.

McPherson, who also won the honor on March 9, led Western Carolina to a SoCon-opening sweep over Furman this past weekend. On March 21, the junior went 2-for-3 with a walk, stolen base, one RBI and a run scored in the team’s 11-7 win in the first game of the series. Later that day, McPherson had a double and a home run as the Catamounts defeated the Paladins, 7-4, in the second game of the day. The native of Lancaster, California, capped the weekend with a 3-for-3 performance, which included two home runs and a stolen base in a 12-2 victory on March 22. McPherson is currently second in the SoCon in batting average (.474).

Shroyer, who also won the honor on Feb. 23 and March 9, had two appearances inside the circle, hurling 11 innings for the week. The product of San Dimas, California, threw four innings, striking out four batters in a 8-1 win over Southern Miss on March 18. Three days later, the junior tossed a complete-game shutout in team’s SoCon opener, which was a 4-0 win at ETSU. She finished the game with a season-high 10 strikeouts and walked just one batter. Shroyer currently leads the league in ERA (1.43), innings pitched (93.0) and shutouts (7).

Western Carolina (19-9, 3-0 SoCon) hosts USC Upstate for a doubleheader on March 24, before welcoming UNCG (22-12, 3-0) for a weekend series on March 28-29.

Other nominees for player of the week: Nya South (UNCG), Joi Hubbard (Samford), Anna Dovey (Chattanooga) and Desirae Devine (Wofford)

Other nominees for pitcher of the week: Taylor Long (Chattanooga), Amanda Fulton (Western Carolina) and Abby Greenwood (Wofford)
 
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

March 9            Maya McPherson, Jr., 3B, Western Carolina

March 16          Avery Barton, Sr., SS, Mercer

March 23          Maya McPherson, Jr., 3B, Western Carolina

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

March 9            Brooklyn Shroyer, Jr., UNCG

March 16          Amanda Fulton, So., Western Carolina

March 23          Brooklyn Shroyer, Jr., UNCG