Conference Carolinas Releases All-Conference Honors for Softball
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Conference Carolinas has unveiled its 2021 all-conference honors for softball.
The 2021 softball all-conference awards were chosen by the league’s head coaches.
A junior from Albemarle, North Carolina, Payton Whitley of Belmont Abbey was chosen as the Player of the Year in Conference Carolinas. Whitley hit .417 in conference play during the regular season with 23 RBIs and 20 runs scored. She had 12 extra-base hits on six home runs, five doubles and one triple.
A senior from Boiling Springs, South Carolina, Hannah Houge of Erskine was named the Pitcher of the Year. Houge was phenomenal during league play with 15 wins and a 2.00 ERA. She struck out 179 in conference play. Houge wins the award for the second time in her career. She was also named Pitcher of the Year in Conference Carolinas in 2019.
A freshman from Virginia Beach, Virginia, Rilee Jones of Barton was named the Freshman of the Year. Jones held her opposition to just a .165 batting average against her in conference play. She struck out 70.
Erskine’s Alleen Hawkins was named the Coach of the Year in Conference Carolinas after leading the Flying Fleet to the regular season title. Hawkins has now been voted Coach of the Year four times (2010, 2018, 2019 and 2021).
2021 Conference Carolinas Softball All-Conference
Player of the Year
Payton Whitley, Belmont Abbey
Pitcher of the Year
Hannah Houge, Erskine
Freshman of the Year
Rilee Jones, Barton
Coach of the Year
Alleen Hawkins, Erskine
First Team
First Base - Payton Whitley, Belmont Abbey
Second Base - Josie Reed, North Greenville
Third Base - Savannah Huff, Southern Wesleyan
Shortstop - Melissa Neyhouse, Belmont Abbey
Designated Player - Brianna McRae, North Greenville
Utility - Kylie Emanuele, Mount Olive
Catcher - Rikkelle Miller, King
Catcher - Taylor Koon, North Greenville
Outfield - Lydia Clanton, Southern Wesleyan
Outfield - Courtlynn Cooney, Mount Olive
Outfield - Hailey Gass, Belmont Abbey
Pitcher - Hannah Houge, Erskine
Pitcher - Nikole Counts, King
Pitcher - Rilee Jones, Barton
Second Team
First Base - Cana Shrock, Mount Olive
Second Base - Cassandra Lassiter, Mount Olive
Third Base - Shi Cain, Erskine
Shortstop - Brooklyn Stone, North Greenville
Designated Player - Megan New, Southern Wesleyan
Utility - Meagan Puckett, King
Catcher - McCrae Knapp, Barton
Catcher - Taylor Antley, Erskine
Outfield - Kya Santiago, Emmanuel
Outfield - Erin Foster, King
Outfield - Sydney Pon, Belmont Abbey
Pitcher - Callie Richards, North Greenville
Pitcher - Jaelin Griffin, North Greenville
Pitcher - Mallory Ratcliff, Mount Olive