SoCon Softball Player, Pitcher of the Week announced

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford infielder Katie Campbell and Bulldogs right-hander Makinley Turner have been named the Southern Conference softball player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for their efforts from April 13-19. The awards are selected by the league office.

Campbell, who also won the honor on March 30, helped Samford to a win over then second-ranked Alabama and a series sweep at Furman last week. On April 14, the native of Cape Coral, Florida, hit a game-clinching double to left field in the fifth inning, driving two runs across home plate and putting Samford up, 3-2, which ended up being the final score against Alabama. The Bulldogs’ win over the Crimson Tide marked the program’s first win over their in-state foe in 29 years, and was the highest ranked win for the squad. In a doubleheader at Furman on April 18, the junior had three hits, four RBIs, a walk and a run scored as Samford won the two games by scores of 8-1 and 14-1. In the series finale the next day, Campbell was 3-for-5 with two home runs, five RBIs and three runs scored.

Turner, who won the honor for the second straight week, had two victories inside the circle. In the game with Alabama, the junior came in out of the bullpen in the fifth inning with the team down, 2-0. Turner proceeded to throw 2.1 innings, striking out three batters and allowing just two hits. In the 8-1 win over Furman, the product of Thorsby, Alabama, tossed a complete game, logging five strikeouts and allowing zero earned runs.

Samford (22-26, 11-4 SoCon) travels to West Georgia on April 21, before heading to ETSU for a weekend series on April 25-26.

Other nominees for player of the week: Leinani Lutu (ETSU), Kaylyn Belfield (UNCG), Becka Wonsick (Western Carolina), and Brianna Stanley (Wofford)

Other nominees for pitcher of the week: Eden Muncy (ETSU), Salem Ward (UNCG), 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

March 30          Katie Campbell, Jr., C/1B, Samford

April 6               Baileigh Pitts, Sr., 1B, Chattanooga

April 13             Brianna Stanley, So., INF, Wofford

April 20             Katie Campbell, Jr., C/1B, Samford

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

March 30          Reese Hickey, Fr., Samford

April 6               Kristyn Embler, Fr., Furman

April 13             Makinley Turner, So., Samford

April 20             Makinley Turner, So., Samford