Softball Player of the Week: Shi Cain, USC Aiken
Cain was an offensive force in a three-game series against Georgia College & State University, hitting .714 with a 1.571 slugging percentage. The senior designated player from Rockwell, N.C., went 1-for-2 in the opener, the one a solo home run in the first as USCA won the game 3-2. She went 2-for-3 in the second game and then 2-for-2 in the third, hitting another home run and driving in a pair. She drew a pair of walks for an .818 on-base percentage and scored three runs as the Pacers took two of three. Cain is currently tied for fourth in the PBC in home runs and is 10th in on-base percentage.
Softball Pitcher of the Week: Lakyn Phillips, USC Aiken
Phillips pitched 13.2 innings over three games last week, going 2-1 with one earned run allowed and 11 strikeouts. The sophomore from Lexington, S.C., picked up a complete-game win over GCSU in the opener, allowing two unearned runs on four hits with five strikeouts in a 3-2 win. She took a loss in a 7-6 second game with three strikeouts in two innings of relief, then pitched 4.2 innings of game three, scattering three hits and striking out three with no earned runs allowed. Phillips currently leads the PBC in strikeouts and is second in innings pitched.
Softball Freshman of the Week: Nova Wright, Columbus State
Wright hit .778 in three games for the Cougars with a 1.222 slugging percentage and six RBIs. The catcher from Loganville, Ga., went a combined 6-for-6 in a doubleheader sweep of Augusta, smashing a home run in game two and driving in six combined runs. She opened the week 1-for-3 with a double against Auburn-Montgomery and then drove in a pair in her first game against the Jaguars. She scored four runs, stole a base and had no errors in 17 chances behind the plate. In 23 at-bats this season, Wright is hitting .565 with an .870 slugging percentage.
For a complete list of softball weekly award winners, please click here.