Conference Carolinas Unveils 2023 All-Conference Honors for Softball
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Conference Carolinas unveiled its 2023 softball all-conference honors as part of its annual awards ceremony at Tyger River Park.
The all-conference awards were chosen by the league’s head coaches. In addition, Conference Carolinas also released its second annual All-Defensive Team as voted on by its head coaches.
Francis Marion senior second baseman Megan Matsil of Francis Marion was chosen as the Player of the Year in Conference Carolinas. For the season, Matsil is batting a team-best .474 with 43 runs scored, 14 doubles, five home runs and 40 RBIs. She has registered a .512 on-base percentage and is 5-of-6 in stolen bases, while fielding at a .970 clip. Matsil ranks among the top-10 in the conference in numerous categories, which includes third in hits and batting average, eighth in OPS and ninth in on-base percentage. She also ranks 11th in slugging percentage and is tied for 12th in RBIs. In conference games, Matsil led the league with 43 hits. Matsil closed out the regular-season owning an 18-game hitting streak and a streak of safely reaching base that has reached 29 games.
A junior pitcher from Lakeland, Florida, Maddie Edwards of Emmanuel was tabbed as the Pitcher of the Year in Conference Carolinas. Edwards is currently 17-3 overall on the 2023 season in the circle. She has pitched 18 complete games on the season in 142.0 innings pitched entering the 2023 Conference Carolinas Softball Championship. She has fanned 137 on the season so far. In conference games, Edwards led the league in opposing batting average and was second in earned run average (1.92).
A freshman utility/pitcher from Elkview, West Virginia, Grayson Buckner of Lees-McRae was selected as the Freshman of the Year. Buckner was also chosen to the all-conference second team at second base. Buckner has been strong at the plate this season for Lees-McRae. Entering the conference tournament, Buckner is in the top-five in the conference in batting average (.459) and slugging percentage (.752). She was third in the conference in league games with 40 hits. Buckner also had two wins in the circle in 34.1 innings pitched.
Third-year head coach Kendall Fuller was named the Coach of the Year by her peers after leading Lees-McRae to a second-place finish in the conference standings in the 2023 season. Fuller has guided Lees-McRae to over four wins more in league play over the last two years. The Bobcats finished 2021 with eight league wins before collecting 13 conference wins in the 2022 season. Lees-McRae closed out conference play in 2023 with 17 victories. Lees-McRae begins the conference tournament with an overall record of 30-16.
2023 Conference Carolinas Softball All-Conference
Player of the Year
Megan Matsil, Francis Marion
Pitcher of the Year
Maddie Edwards, Emmanuel
Freshman of the Year
Grayson Buckner, Lees-McRae
Coach of the Year
Kendall Fuller, Lees-McRae
First Team
1B - Brianna McRae, North Greenville
2B - Megan Matsil, Francis Marion
3B - Alyssa Adams, Emmanuel
SS - Makayla Cuthbertson, Francis Marion
DP - Jaryn Gibson, Emmanuel
UTL - Kylie Emanuele, Mount Olive
C - Ashlyn Porter, Mount Olive
C - Reagan Glanz, Francis Marion
OF - Courtlynn Cooney, Mount Olive
OF - Lexis Wilkinson, North Greenville
OF - Jessica Campbell, King
P - Maddie Edwards, Emmanuel
P - Jenna Walling, Francis Marion
P - Madison Walter, King
Second Team
1B - Taylor Watford, Francis Marion
2B - Grayson Buckner, Lees-McRae
3B - Samantha Allred, UNC Pembroke
SS - Hallie Mele, Belmont Abbey
DP - Gracelyn Massey, Barton
UTL - Adison Yoder, Belmont Abbey
C - Mackenzie Sprinkle, Belmont Abbey
C - Kinsley Goolsby, Emmanuel
OF - Ali Hartin, North Greenville
OF - Makenzie Cyzick, Barton
OF - Kyndall Chandler, Erskine
P - Megan Powell, Lees-McRae
P - Hannah Killough, Mount Olive
P - Karley Green, North Greenville
All-Defensive Team
1B - Taylor Watford, Francis Marion
2B - Lexi Jordan, Emmanuel
3B - Madalyn White, Francis Marion
SS - Julie Gast, Lees-McRae
UTL - Talissa Cannady, Southern Wesleyan
C - Ashlyn Porter, Mount Olive
LF - Kadence Sheppard, UNC Pembroke
CF - Courtlynn Cooney, Mount Olive
RF - Tinsley Thompson, King
P - Nikole Counts, King