Johnson, Willis, O'Hare Collect Big South Honors

    ROCK HILL, SC-Three Lady Eagle softball players collected Big South honors this afternoon at the awards banquet, which kicked off the 2002 McAlister’s Deli Big South Conference Softball Championships.

    Freshman Kelli Johnson was named Big South Rookie of the Year and first-team all-conference for her performance on the mound for the Lady Eagles. Johnson compiled an 18-12 record this season (leads conference) while pitching seven shutouts (leads conference), 25 complete games, striking out 192 batters, and compiling a 1.92 ERA (leads conference).

    Freshman Janiva Willis was also selected to the first-team all-conference as an outfielder. Willis leads the Lady Eagles with a .317 batting average. She has posted 39 hits this season along with 10 doubles, one triple, seven homeruns, and a .585 slugging percentage. Junior Teresa O’Hare rounded out the field for Winthrop as she was selected to the All-Academic team. O’Hare has been a key reserve playing in 40 games for the Lady Eagles this season.

    Stephanie Belden received the Most Valuable Player award and Danielle Jenkins picked up Scholar Athlete of the Year both of Coastal Carolina. Elon’s head coach Patti Raduenz was selected Coach of the Year to round out the other top awards.