SoCon Softball Player, Pitcher of the Week announced

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – UNCG infielder Nya South and Samford right-hander Reese Hickey have been named the Southern Conference softball player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for their efforts from April 20-26. The awards are selected by the league office.

South led UNCG to a 3-1 record last week, posting a league-leading 1.873 OPS. In a 5-2 win at Campbell on April 22, the junior had two hits, one of which was a double, one RBI and a run scored. The native of Sanford, North Carolina, hit a 3-run homer in both games of the team’s doubleheader with Chattanooga, helping UNCG to 7-3, and 9-1, victories on April 25. After drawing a walk in the team’s 3-2 setback in the series finale on April 26, South has reached base in 15 straight contests. South is currently in the top 10 in the league in batting average (.386), home runs (15) and RBIs (47).

Hickey, who also won the honor on March 30, made two appearances inside the circle for Samford last week. In her first outing, the freshman logged a win out of the bullpen after tossing 4.2 innings, striking out seven batters and allowing one run in a 14-6 win at West Georgia on April 21. Three days later, the product of Atlanta, Georgia, threw a complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits as the Bulldogs topped ETSU, 2-0.

UNCG (37-16, 15-3 SoCon) and Samford (25-27, 13-5) will play a weekend series in Birmingham, Alabama, on May 2-3. The series will be the final games of the regular season for both squads.

Other nominees for player of the week: Payton Moore (ETSU), Katie Peeler (Furman), Rachel Sysum (Mercer), Abi Bunt (Chattanooga), Tate Stewman (Western Carolina), and Brianna Stanley (Wofford)

Other nominees for pitcher of the week: Marissa Barnes (ETSU), Kristyn Embler (Furman), Taylor Long (Chattanooga), 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

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

April 27             Nya South, Jr., INF, UNCG

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

April 27             Reese Hickey, Fr., Samford