undefined News

No title

Unknown — Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

No title

Unknown — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

No title

Unknown — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

No title

Unknown — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

No title

Unknown — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

No title

Unknown — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

No title

Unknown — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

No title

Unknown — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

No title

Unknown — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

No title

Unknown — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

No title

Unknown — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

No title

Unknown — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

No title

Unknown — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

No title

Unknown — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

No title

Unknown — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT

2026 All-SoCon Baseball Teams Announced

Unknown — Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SPARTANBURG, SC – Mercer outfielder Chris Katz was named 2026 SoCon Player of the Year and Wofford ace Alec Bouchard was named 2026 SoCon Pitcher of the Year in voting by the conference’s eight head coaches Tuesday afternoon in advance of the 2026 SoCon Baseball Championship, presented by Holston Gases.

Mercer pitcher Garrett Lambert was named 2026 SoCon Freshman of the Year and The Citadel third baseball Aryan Patel earned the second annual SoCon Golden Glove Award as the circuit’s top defender. Mercer head coach Craig Gibson was named 2026 SoCon Coach of the Year after leading the Bears to their first SoCon regular season crown since 2017.

Katz (Raleigh, NC / Heritage HS) enjoyed a sensational regular season, batting .374 with 17 doubles, 20 home runs, and 71 RBI for the high-powered Bears’ offense. He is tied for the SoCon lead with 79 hits and leads the conference in runs scored, RBI, on base percentage, and total bases. He fuels a Mercer offense that leads the SoCon in 12 different major offensive categories.

Bouchard (Soddy Daisy, TN / Notre Dame HS) anchored the Terriers’ rotation in 2026, finishing the regular season with a 9-2 record, 2.29 ERA, and 101 strikeouts in 82.2 innings of work. The righthander leads the SoCon in victories, strikeouts, innings pitched, and WHIP (1.09) through 14 starts. Bouchard was at his best in a pair of SoCon wins, tossing 7.0 shutout innings and fanning 12 in a win at The Citadel on April 10, then striking out a season-high 14 batters with no walks in a 9.0 inning win over Western Carolina on May 1.

Lambert (Lilburn, GA / Parkview HS) lived up to his preseason billing after being tabbed as the SoCon’s preseason Freshman of the Year by both D1Baseball.com and Perfect Game. He finished with a 5-0 record in 14 starts, forging a 4.55 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 65.1 innings pitched. Lambert was 3-0 with a 4.29 ERA in seven SoCon starts.

Patel (Hanahan, SC / Hanahan HS) collected the most votes on the 2026 SoCon All-Defensive Team, earning the Golden Glove Award. Patel has 46 starts at third base this season, fielding a clean .975 with only four errors in 163 chances.

Gibson has his Mercer Bears on a roll, entering the 2026 postseason on an eight-game win streak. The veteran head coach has now earned SoCon Coach of the year three times and has directed the Bears to four SoCon regular season titles. Mercer (43-13, 15-6 SoCon) is 18-1 since a four-game skid in mid-April, bolstering the team’s RPI to No. 26 nationally this week.

Mercer led the way with eighth All-SoCon selections, including seven on the first team. ETSU (6) and The Citadel (5) were close behind. All eight schools had at least one All-SoCon selection this season.

The 2026 SoCon Baseball Championship, presented by Holston Gases, begins on Wednesday morning at 9:00 (ESPN+) with The Citadel battling VMI in a rivalry rematch of last weekend’s series. Four games will be played Wednesday, before top-seed Mercer and second-seed Western Carolina take the field on Thursday morning.

The entire All-SoCon Baseball Team is listed below:

Player of the Year

Chris Katz, Sr., OF, Mercer (Raleigh, NC)

Pitcher of the Year

Alec Bouchard, Jr., RHP, Wofford (Soddy Daisy, TN)

Freshman of the Year

Garrett Lambert, R-Fr., RHP, Mercer (Lilburn, GA)

Golden Glove Award (Defensive Player of the Year)

Aryan Patel, Sr., 3B, The Citadel (Hanahan, SC)

Coach of the Year

Craig Gibson, Mercer

First-Team All-SoCon

SP – Alec Bouchard, Wofford

SP – Garrett Lambert, Mercer

SP – Will Holmes, The Citadel

RP – Mason Snyder, Western Carolina

RP – Jess Ackerman, Mercer

RP – Zak Spurrier, Samford

C – Cade Carr, Samford

1B – Grayson Fitzwater, VMI

1B – Tristan Curless, ETSU

2B – Trent Turner, Western Carolina

SS – Titan Kamaka, Mercer

3B – Brant Baughcum, Mercer

OF – Chris Katz, Mercer

OF – Eli Stephens, Mercer

OF – Jake Souders, Samford

DH – Braydon Kersey, Mercer

Second-Team All-SoCon

SP – Michael Harpster, ETSU

SP – Andrew Buffkin, The Citadel

SP – Cullen Condon, Wofford

RP – Michael Gibson, The Citadel

RP – Andrew Garnett, Mercer

RP – Zane Davis, The Citadel

C – Cole Raile, VMI

C – Noah Quarless, Western Carolina

1B – Michael Gibson, The Citadel

2B – Ian Guanzon, ETSU

SS – Henry Ferguson, ETSU

3B – Jacob Budzik, UNC Greensboro

OF – Ben Timblin, Wofford

OF – Jamie Palmese, ETSU

OF – Luke Boykin, Samford

DH – Nate Conner, ETSU

2026 SoCon All-Freshman Team

Garrett Lambert, P, Mercer

Jaylen Jones, OF, Western Carolina

Brady Gold, SS, Wofford

Jayden Williams, OF, The Citadel

Evan Myers, P, Western Carolina

Eddie Marshall, C, Samford

Cooper Jones, P, ETSU

Tanner Berry, C, UNC Greensboro

Mason Ault, C, ETSU

Ethan Buffone, 2B, Mercer

Ayden West, P, UNC Greensboro

Buddy Baker, P, VMI

2026 SoCon All-Defensive Team

Aryan Patel, 3B, The Citadel

Grayson Fitzwater, 1B, VMI

Owen Prince, OF, VMI

Henry Ferguson, SS, ETSU

Jayden Williams, OF, The Citadel

Parker McDonald, 3B, Samford

Jamie Palmese, OF, ETSU

Cade Carr, C, Samford

Jeff Ince, 2B, Samford

Niko Brini, OF, Wofford

Trent Turner, 2B, Western Carolina

Gus Gandy, SS, Samford

Western Carolina's Jones Third After First Round of NCAA Men's Golf Regional

The Southern Conference — Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Chattanooga Off to Good Start at NCAA Men's Golf Regionals

The Southern Conference — Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

UNC Greensboro's Hernandez Begins NCAA Regionals at Bermuda Run

The Southern Conference — Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SoCon Announces Weekly Baseball Awards

Unknown — Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SPARTANBURG, SC – Mercer sophomore Braydon Kersey was named SoCon Baseball Player of the Week and The Citadel graduate student Will Holmes was named SoCon Pitcher of the Week following games played from May 12-May 16.

Kersey (Alpharetta, GA / Alpharetta HS) led the Bears to a 4-0 week and their first SoCon regular season title since 2017, batting .533 (8-for-15) with five runs scored, a pair of doubles, one home run, and six RBI. He slugged a solid .867 and posted a .650 on base percentage and contributed out of the bullpen – tossing 1.2 scoreless frames with a pair of strikeouts and a save. In Mercer’s 12-9 win at No. 3 Georgia Tech on Tuesday night, Kersey went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. In Friday’s 9-7 win at ETSU that clinched the regular season crown for Mercer, Kersey was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI at the plate, while closing out the game with a pair of strikeouts to earn the save. He closed the regular season in style with three hits and an RBI in Saturday’s 11-6 win.

Kersey batted a sizzling .397 with 11 home runs and 29 RBI in 20 SoCon games this season. Overall, he is batting .325 with 21 home runs, 66 RBI, and 50 runs scored. On the mound, he has five saves and 24 strikeouts in 19.0 innings of work. His Player of the Week honor was the second of the season for Kersey.

Holmes (Boiling Springs, SC / Boiling Springs HS) sparkled in a rivalry win at VMI, pitching 7.0 scoreless innings with only three hits allowed and 10 strikeouts. Holmes walked one and left the game with a comfortable 7-0 lead after throwing 87 pitches.

Holmes is now 6-4 on the season with a 4.19 ERA in 14 starts, with 99 strikeouts in 77.1 innings of work. Three of his victories have come in SoCon play. He is the first lefty starter to earn SoCon Pitcher of the Week honors this season.

Mercer (43-13, 15-6 SoCon) will open its postseason on Thursday after earning a first-round bye. The Citadel (30-24, 11-10 SoCon) earned the fifth seed and plays VMI in the opening game of the 2026 SoCon Baseball Championship, presented by Holston Gases, at 9:00 am Wednesday.

Games on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday will stream live on ESPN+. Saturday night’s championship game will air live on ESPNU at 7:30.

Also nominated for Player of the Week: Henry Ferguson (ETSU), Jaylen Jones (WCU), Eddie Marshall (Samford), Ben Timblin (Wofford), Lane Tobin (The Citadel).

Also nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Jess Ackerman (Mercer), Carter Burnette (WCU), Cullen Condon (Wofford), Cannon Lee (UNCG).

2025-26 SoCon Player of the Week

Feb. 16 – Andrew Quarless, R-So., Western Carolina (C, Winston-Salem, NC)

Feb. 23 – Braydon Kersey, So., Mercer (DH/INF, Alpharetta, GA)

Mar. 2 – Titan Kamaka, Sr., Mercer (SS, Orlando, FL)

Mar. 9 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)

Mar. 16 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)

Mar. 23 – Tristan Curless, Sr., ETSU (1B/P, Amarillo, TX)

Mar. 30 – Parker McDonald, Sr., Samford (3B, Tallahassee, FL)

Apr. 6 – Ben Timblin, So., Wofford (Signal Mountain, TN)

Apr. 13 – Jaylen Jones, R-Fr., Western Carolina (Loganville, GA)

Apr. 20 – Tristan Curless, Sr., ETSU (1B/P, Amarillo, TX)

Apr. 27 – Michael Gibson, Sr., The Citadel (DH/P, Rock Hill, SC)

May 4 – Chris Katz, Sr., Mercer (OF, Raleigh, NC)

May 11 – Jacob Dilley, Jr., UNC Greensboro (C/OF, Boone, NC)

May 18 – Braydon Kersey, So., Mercer (DH/INF, Alpharetta, GA)

2025-26 SoCon Pitcher of the Week

Feb. 16 – Andrew Marble, Jr., Samford (RHP, Hurley, MS)

Feb. 23 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)

Mar. 2 – Bryce Coulter, Jr., The Citadel (RHP, Sumter, SC)

Mar. 9 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)

Mar. 16 – Carter Burnette, So., Western Carolina (RHP, Asheville, NC)

Mar. 23 – Joseph Lee, Sr., Samford (RHP, San Jose, CA)

Mar. 30 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)

Apr. 6 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)

Apr. 13 – Alec Bouchard, Jr., Wofford (RHP, Soddy Daisy, TN)

Apr. 20 – Garrett Lambert, R-Fr., Mercer (RHP, Lilburn, GA)

Apr. 27 – Miguel Hugas, Jr., Mercer (RHP, Caracas, Venezuela)

May 4 – Alec Bouchard, Jr., Wofford (RHP, Soddy Daisy, TN)

May 11 – Jess Ackerman, Sr., Mercer (LHP, Cumming, GA)

May 18 – Will Holmes, Gr., The Citadel (LHP, Boiling Springs, SC)

Mercer Women's Golf Finishes Fourth At National Golf Invitational

The Southern Conference — Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

2026 SoCon Baseball Championship Bracket Set

Unknown — Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

2026 Championship Page | 2026 Bracket (PDF)

SPARTANBURG, SC – Mercer won its first SoCon regular season championship since 2017 and brings an eight-game win streak into the postseason as the 2026 SoCon Baseball Championship, presented by Holston Gases, begins on Wednesday (May 20) at Fluor Field in Greenville.

The Bears (43-13, 15-6 SoCon) swept ETSU on the road to clinch the regular season trophy and are ranked No. 27 in the latest NCAA RPI release. A road win at No. 11 Georgia Tech last week was another highlight for a team that ranks in the top 10 nationally in eight major offensive categories and has bashed 124 home runs on the season. Only Elon (138, 2008) and College of Charleston (130, 2009) have hit more long balls in a season than the Bears in 2026.

Three SoCon teams are rated inside the Top 60 nationally in RPI, with Western Carolina (57) and The Citadel (59) joining Mercer. Two more teams are rated inside the top 100, giving the SoCon one of its strongest regular season efforts as a league in the past decade. The SoCon is rated No. 6 in the latest NCAA RPI release and will look to place multiple teams in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012.

Western Carolina (35-21, 14-7 SoCon) earned the No. 2 seed on the strength of two-straight wins to close out the regular season in Cullowhee. Samford (28-24, 12-9 SoCon) is the No. 3 seed based on its series win this weekend over Wofford (34-20, 12-9 SoCon).

The Citadel (30-24, 11-10 SoCon) is the No. 5 seed, followed closely by ETSU (30-22, 10-11 SoCon) in the No. 6 slot. UNC Greensboro (22-31, 7-14 SoCon), and VMI (28-26, 3-18 SoCon) round out the field.

With the bracket set, No. 5 The Citadel and No. 8 VMI will open the championship schedule on Wednesday morning at 9:00 AM (ESPN+) in a rivalry rematch of the final regular season series. No. 6 ETSU and No. 7 UNC Greensboro will play the second game at 12:30 PM (ESPN+), with the winner of The Citadel-VMI to battle No. 4 Wofford at 4:00 pm ET (ESPN+) and the winner of ETSU-UNCG taking on No. 3 Samford at 7:30 PM (ESPN+) in a busy day at the ballpark.

Tickets for the championship are available online here .

Saturday’s championship game will air live on ESPNU at 7:30 PM

2026 SoCon Baseball Championship Schedule

Presented by Holston Gases

Wednesday | May 20 (ESPN+)

9:00 AM – #5 The Citadel vs #8 VMI

12:30 PM – #6 ETSU vs. #7 UNC Greensboro

4:00 PM – Winner Game 1 vs. #4 Wofford

7:30 PM – Winner Game 2 vs. #3 Samford

Thursday | May 21 (ESPN+)

9:00 AM – Winner G3 vs. #1 Mercer

12:30 PM – Winner G4 vs. #2 Western Carolina

4:00 PM – Loser G5 vs. Loser G3

7:30 PM – Loser G6 vs. Loser G4

Friday | May 22 (ESPN+)

9:00 AM – Winner G5 vs. Winner G7

12:30 PM – Winner G6 vs. Winner G8

4:00 PM – If Necessary (Game 11)

7:30 PM – If Necessary (Game 12)

Saturday | May 23 (ESPNU)

7:30 PM – Championship Game

FIRST NCAA WIN! UNCG Shuts Out Clemson, 1-0

The Southern Conference — Sat, 16 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SoCon announces Outdoor Track & Field Specialty Awards

Unknown — Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford earned four specialty honors; Wofford collected two, and Furman and Western Carolina each claimed one. The awards, voted on by the league’s ten outdoor coaches, were announced by the Southern Conference on Friday.

The Samford men, led by Rod Tiffin, the Men’s Coach of the Year, earned two superlatives through Cole Grande and Chase Webb. Grande was named the Male Outstanding Track Performer, while Webb earned Male Freshman of the Year. Grande, who was also selected as the Male Most Outstanding Athlete at this year’s championship, scored 23 points, including gold‑medal performances in the men’s 400m, 4x400m, and 4x100m. Webb added two season bests to his freshman résumé, placing second in the 100m and fourth in the 200m finals. He also ran the third leg on Samford’s gold‑medal 4x100m relay. The Samford men have now won six consecutive championships under Tiffin, and this marks the sixth time since 2021 that he has earned the men’s coach superlative.

Wofford’s Jakayla Campbell and Patrick Green earned Most Outstanding Performer honors for women’s track and men’s field, respectively. Campbell scored 21 points with gold‑medal finishes in the women’s 100m hurdles, 4x400m, and 4x100m. The junior also claimed bronze in the 200m with a personal‑best time of 24.06. Green secured gold in both the men’s long jump and triple jump, earning a personal best and a season best in the process. He became the first Terrier to win the triple jump since 2003.

Furman’s Tessa Walter earned her third Freshman of the Year honor this academic year after finishing second in both the women’s 5,000m and 10,000m. She previously earned the award in cross country and indoor track.

Western Carolina head coach Jesse Norman was named Women’s Coach of the Year after leading his team to a wire‑to‑wire championship finish. The Catamounts outpaced Samford by seven points to claim the women’s crown. This year marked Norman’s first Coach of the Year honor since 2019 and Western Carolina’s first women’s championship since 2018.

Male Most Outstanding Track Performer
Cole Grande, Samford

Female Most Outstanding Track Performer
JaKayla Campbell, Wofford

Male Most Outstanding Field Performer
Patrick Green, Wofford

Female Most Outstanding Field Performer
JT Shaw, Samford

Male Freshman of the Year
Chase Webb, Samford

Female Freshman of the Year
Tessa Walter, Furman

Men’s Coach of the Year
Rod Tiffin, Samford

Women’s Coach of the Year
Jesse Norman, Western Carolina

Furman's Hasselbach Ties For 21st At NCAA Chapel Hill Regional

The Southern Conference — Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Samford men continue championship reign, Western Carolina women add to Catamounts history

Unknown — Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Samford’s men claimed their sixth straight SoCon Outdoor Track and Field Championship on Tuesday. Paced by Men’s Most Outstanding Athlete Cole Grande, the Bulldogs scored 238.5 points to secure the title. Grande won gold in the men’s 400m, earned silver in the 200m, and contributed to Samford’s gold‑medal performances in both the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. Samford’s David Brown was named the Pinnacle Award winner as the student‑athlete with the highest cumulative GPA on the championship‑winning team. Samford also claimed the Women’s Most Outstanding Athlete honor, following JT Shaw’s 26-point performance. Shaw won gold in the women’s shot put, and placed second in the hammer and discus.

Western Carolina’s women, powered by a 20‑point performance from Cymoria Thomas, claimed their first SoCon championship since 2018. Thomas swept the women’s 100m and 200m dashes to lead the Catamounts. Western Carolina’s Gaby Reeve earned the Pinnacle Award, sponsored by the Knight Commission.

Day 2 Men’s Storylines

Samford’s Arthur Chitty bested his 2025 performance by .02m to claim his second consecutive high jump gold medal.
Samford’s Carl Henry won his second gold medal in discus, his first since 2024.
Furman maintained a hold of the 1500m with Bryn Woodall becoming the third unique Paladin to win the event in three years.
Wofford’s Patrick Green became the first Terrier to win the triple jump since 2003.

Day 2 Women’s Storylines

Wofford’s Olivia Bagg won her third consecutive heptathlon gold, besting her previous gold medal performance by 72 points.
The Terriers claimed gold in the 4x1 for the sixth straight championship.
VMI’s Morgan Fraser became the first Keydet to win the event in program history.
Wofford’s Taylor Jennings-Ward set a new championship record in the 400, besting the previous record, set by Wofford’s Jasmine Jefferson, by .25 seconds.
Samford’s Jessica Edwards bested the previous record by .18 seconds to set a new meet record.
Western Carolina’s Jasmine Greene reclaimed the triple jump title after going back-to-back in 2023 and 2024.

*Italics: Meet record

Day 2 Men’s Results
1.Samford	238.5
2.Western Carolina	180.5
3.Furman	109
4.The Citadel	87.5
5.Wofford	64
6.VMI	50.5
7.ETSU	47
8.UNCG	36

Day 2 Women’s Results
1.Western Carolina	182.5
2.Samford	175.5
3.Wofford	137
4.Furman	110
5.ETSU	80.5
6.Mercer	46
7.VMI	37
8.Chattanooga	24.5
9.The Citadel	10
10.UNCG	6

Day 2 Men’s Champions
4x1	Samford – 40.17
1500m	Bryn Woodall, Furman – 3:42.91
110m Hurdles	Bradley Franklin, Samford – 13.52 *13.42 - Prelims
400m	Cole Grande, Samford – 46.35 [PB]
100m	Caleb Yeary, Samford – 10.46
800m	Zeph Carico-McLennan, Samford – 1:48.26*
400m Hurdles	Christian Roberts, Western Carolina – 52.16 [PB]
200m	Bradley Franklin, Samford – 20.79
5000m	Luke Ward, UNCG – 14:40.99 [SB]
4x4	Samford – 3:10.84
Decathlon	Gilbert Stein, Samford – 6,739
Discus	Anthony Hawkins Jr., Western Carolina – 50.25m
High Jump	Arthur Chitty, Samford – 2.15m [SB]
Shot Put	Carl Henry, Samford - 16.58m
Triple Jump	Patrick Green, Wofford – 14.86m

Day 2 Women’s Champions
4x1	Wofford – 45.36
1500m	Nysa Males, Furman – 4:22.17 [PB]
100m Hurdles	JaKayla Campbell, Wofford – 13.52
400m	Taylor Jennings-Ward, Wofford – 53.02* [PB]
100m	Cymoria Thomas, Western Carolina – 11.74 [PB]
800m	Jessica Edwards, Samford – 2:04.00
400m Hurdles	Aaliyah Mbenda, Samford – 1:00.45 [PB]
200m	Cymoria Thomas, Western Carolina – 23.88 [PB]
5000m	Sierra Bower, Furman – 17:22.54
4x4	Wofford - 3:37.83
Heptathlon	Olivia Bagg, Wofford – 4, 867
High Jump	Morgan Fraser, VMI – 1.68m
Discus	Toria Roundtree, Western Carolina – 46.57m [PB]
Triple Jump	Jasmine Greene, Western Carolina – 12.25m

Day 2 Men’s All-Freshman
1500m	Wesley Luisi, ETSU Loden Kohrman, Samford Bradley White, Western Carolina
110m Hurdles	Gage Herring, The Citadel Gilbert Stein, Samford Deonte Harris, VMI
400m	Leland Bishop, Furman Jackson Sorbello, Furman Emery Anderson, UNCG
100m	Chase Webb, Samford Jack Stubbs, Samford Ty Watkins, Samford
800m	Jack Wallace, The Citadel Wesley Luisi, ETSU Jeremiah Jones, UNCG
400m Hurdles	Kyan Sapko, The Citadel Gage Herring, The Citadel Milo Wilets, ETSU
200m	Chase Webb, Samford Ty Watkins, Samford Delton Jones, Western Carolina
5000m	Garrett Hawkins, ETSU Luke Huehn, UNCG Matthias Peterson, Western Carolina
Decathlon	Myer Daniels, The Citadel Gilbert Stein, Samford
Discus	Anthony Hawkins Jr., Western Carolina Jack Wilson, ETSU
High Jump	Josh Flack, Western Carolina Daniel Coronell, Western Carolina Vahin Middough, VMI
Shot Put	Daniel Dounian, The Citadel Anthony Hawkins Jr, Western Carolina
Triple Jump	Deonte Harris, VMI
Day 2 Women’s All-Freshman
1500m	Eliza Everett, ETSU Katherine Bannigan, Furman Bella King, Chattanooga
100m Hurdles	Kiera-Lee Abrahams, Samford Ayla Pessoa-Rollins, Wofford
400m	Jada Erwin, Western Carolina Sofia LaCorte, Wofford Carmen Pollard, Mercer
100m	TaLaya Broaders, Mercer Shaniya Shirley, Western Carolina Ayzia Jefferson, UNCG
800m	Tara Watkins, Furman Ava Dennis, Wofford Sarah Turner, Wofford
400m Hurdles	Katelyn Lemke, ETSU Kali McQuade, Samford McCrary Beaty, Western Carolina
200m	Ayzia Jefferson, UNCG Shaniya Shirley, Western Carolina Jada Erwin, Western Carolina
5000m	Madalyn Mahoney, ETSU Tessa Walter, Furman Elly Velasquez, Furman
Heptathlon	Celia Gully, Western Carolina McCrary Beaty, Western Carolina
Discus	Maddie Winchester, ETSU Gianna Ortiz, Wofford Maggie Frana, Wofford
Triple Jump	Liliana Coe, The Citadel Kyndall Brundidge, Samford Celia Gully, Western Carolina
Shot Put	Jadan Dean, The Citadel Maddie Winchester, ETSU Maggie Frana, Wofford
High Jump	Halle Carden, Chattanooga Genevieve Cummings, VMI Gracie Sutton, Western Carolina

Furman's Hasselbach Tied For 32nd Entering Final Round Of NCAA Chapel Hill Regional

The Southern Conference — Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Samford Bulldogs take Day one lead at Outdoor Track & Field Championships

Unknown — Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Samford’s men and women lead the SoCon Outdoor Track and Field Championships after Monday’s first day of competition at the Catamount Athletic Complex.

The SoCon Championships resume Tuesday with the decathlon beginning at 9:15 a.m. Live results, daily recaps, and photos are available at SoConSports.com. Day two coverage begins on ESPN+ at 1:30 p.m. ET.

Day 1 Men’s Storylines

Western Carolina’s Austin Cline opened the gold‑medal tally on the men’s side with a heave of 55.96m in the hammer throw.
Samford’s Bradley Franklin entered the week with the top mark in the nation in the 110m hurdles. The Bulldogs’ sophomore improved his 2025 finals time and set a championship record during this year’s prelims with a time of 13.42.
Samford’s Kyle Kaufelds defended his title in the javelin, securing his third consecutive championship win and surpassing his 2025 gold‑medal performance by 1.94m.
VMI’s Cameron Thomas regained the conference title in the pole vault, earning his second career gold in the event after previously winning in 2024.
Furman’s Owen Shifflet became a two‑time champion in the 10,000m, adding to his first title earned in 2024.
ETSU’s Nathan Hillis (steeplechase) and Wofford’s Patrick Green (long jump) each claimed gold medals on personal best performances in their respective events.

Day 1 Women’s Storylines

Catamount Emmie Finley earned the first women’s gold medal of the meet with a hammer throw of 51.90m.
Samford’s Ellison Chadwick won gold in the long jump for the second time in her career, earning her first title since 2024.
Samford’s Brenna Lynn threw a season‑best mark to claim first place in the javelin.
Furman’s Sierra Bower ran a personal best on her way to winning gold in the 10,000m.
Samford and Furman were the only programs to record multiple gold‑medal performances on day one.

Day 1 Results

Day 1 Men’s Results
1.Samford	51
2. Furman	50
3.Western Carolin	49
4.Citadel	35
5.ETSU	16
VMI	16
Wofford	16
8.UNCG	1

Day 1 Women’s Results
1.Samford	71.5
2.Western Carolina	49.5
3.Furman	39
4.ETSU	25.5
5.Mercer	19
6.Wofford	15.5
7.Citadel	8
8.Chattanooga	4
9. VMI	2

Day 1 Men’s Champions
Hammer	Austin Cline, Western Carolina – 55.96m
Pole Vault	Cameron Thomas, VMI – 4.90m
Long Jump	Patrick Green, Wofford – 7.19m [PB]
Javelin	Kyle Kaufelds, Samford – 65.00m
3000m SC	Nathan Hillis, ETSU – 9:14.53 [PB]
10000m	Owen Shifflett, Furman – 30:23.27

Day 1 Women’s Champions
Hammer	Emmie Finley, Western Carolina – 51.09m
Long Jump	Ellison Chadwick, Samford – 6.02m
Pole Vault	Lindsey Havens, Samford – 3.80m
Javelin	Brenna Lynn, Samford – 42.43m [SB]
3000m SC	Annie Miller, Furman – 10:16.12
10000m	Sierra Bower, Furman – 34:47.30 [PB]

Day 1 Men’s All-Freshman
Hammer	Frank Pastorino, The Citadel Anthony Hawkins Jr., Western Carolina
Pole Vault	Jack O’Cain, The Citadel Trey Bartels, The Citadel Owen Anderson, Samford
Long Jump	Luke Durham, Samford Jack Stubbs, Samford Daniel Coronell, Western Carolina
Javelin	Landon Cloninger, The Citadel Grant Weighall, Samford Anthony Hawkins Jr., Western Carolina
3000m SC	Timothy Renquist, VMI Jacob Campbell, Western Carolina
10000m	Garrett Hawkins, ETSU Ty Jones, Furman Matthias Peterson, Western Carolina

Day 1 Women’s All-Freshman

Hammer

Jadan Dean, The Citadel

Maddie Winchester, ETSU

Maggie Frana, Wofford

Long Jump

Kiera-Lee Abrahams, Samford

Kyndall Brundidge, Samford

Lane Scales, Samford

Pole Vault

Liliana Coe, The Citadel

Haven White, Samford

Morgan Edwards, Western Carolina

Javelin

McCrary Beaty, Western Carolina

Gianna Ortiz, Wofford

3000m SC

Eliza Everett, ETSU

Annie Miller, Furman

10000m

Elly Velasquez, Furman

Tessa Walter, Furman

Camryn Oates, UNCG

Hasselbach Leads Furman In Opening Round Of NCAA Chapel Hill Regional

Unknown — Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SoCon Announces Weekly Baseball Awards

Unknown — Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SPARTANBURG, SC – UNCG junior Jacob Dilley was named SoCon Baseball Player of the Week and Mercer redshirt junior Jess Ackerman was named SoCon Pitcher of the Week following games played from May 4-10.

Dilley (Boone, N.C. / Watauga HS) batted .571 (4-of-7) with two home runs, five runs scored, three walks, one double and five RBIs in two games for the Spartans at Virginia Tech last week. On May 9, Dilley homered in the third inning as part of the team’s six home runs in the game, which set a new program record, as UNCG won, 18-13. The junior also drew two walks and scored three runs in the contest. The next day, Dilley was 3-for-4, finishing the game a triple away from the cycle in the team’s 11-9 setback against the Hokies. Dilley logged an eye-opening 2.208 OPS over the two games.

For the season, Dilley is batting .319 in 47 starts with 10 home runs, 11 doubles, 38 RBIs and a .402 on-base percentage. The Spartans (21-29, 6-12 SoCon) play at Western Carolina this weekend in their final series of the regular season.

Ackerman (Cumming, Ga. / North Forsyth HS) pitched 7.1 innings over two relief appearances, recording 12 strikeouts and allowing just three hits. In a 10-7 win on May 6 at Georgia Southern, Ackerman got the save, throwing three innings and striking out four batters. Ackerman tossed 4.1 innings in an 11-1 win over VMI on May 10, recording eight strikeouts and walking just one batter.

In 22 appearances this season, Ackerman is 3-2 with 72 strikeouts in 45.2 innings of work. Mercer (39-13, 12-6 SoCon) plays at Georgia Tech on May 12, before concluding the regular season with a series at ETSU on May 14-16.

Also nominated for Player of the Week: Michael Gibson (The Citadel), Ian Guanzon (ETSU), Dylan LaPointe (Mercer), Jackson Lyda (Western Carolina), and Niko Brini (Wofford)

Also nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Andrew Buffkin and Will Holmes (The Citadel), Cooper Jones (ETSU), John Horton (UNCG), Davis Wright (Western Carolina), and Alec Bouchard (Wofford)

2025-26 SoCon Player of the Week

Feb. 16 – Andrew Quarless, R-So., Western Carolina (C, Winston-Salem, NC)

Feb. 23 – Braydon Kersey, Jr., Mercer (DH/INF, Alpharetta, GA)

Mar. 2 – Titan Kamaka, Sr., Mercer (SS, Orlando, FL)

Mar. 9 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)

Mar. 16 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)

Mar. 23 – Tristan Curless, Sr., ETSU (1B/P, Amarillo, TX)

Mar. 30 – Parker McDonald, Sr., Samford (3B, Tallahassee, FL)

Apr. 6 – Ben Timblin, So., Wofford (Signal Mountain, TN)

Apr. 13 – Jaylen Jones, R-Fr., Western Carolina (Loganville, GA)

Apr. 20 – Tristan Curless, Sr., ETSU (1B/P, Amarillo, TX)

Apr. 27 – Michael Gibson, Sr., The Citadel (DH/P, Rock Hill, SC)

May 4 – Chris Katz, Sr., Mercer (OF, Raleigh, NC)

May 11 – Jacob Dilley, UNC Greensboro, C/OF (Jr., Boone, NC / Watauga HS)

2025-26 SoCon Pitcher of the Week

Feb. 16 – Andrew Marble, Jr., Samford (RHP, Hurley, MS)

Feb. 23 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)

Mar. 2 – Bryce Coulter, Jr., The Citadel (RHP, Sumter, SC)

Mar. 9 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)

Mar. 16 – Carter Burnette, So., Western Carolina (RHP, Asheville, NC)

Mar. 23 – Joseph Lee, Sr., Samford (RHP, San Jose, CA)

Mar. 30 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)

Apr. 6 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)

Apr. 13 – Alec Bouchard, Jr., Wofford (RHP, Soddy Daisy, TN)

Apr. 20 – Garrett Lambert, R-Fr., Mercer (RHP, Lilburn, GA)

Apr. 27 – Miguel Hugas, Jr., Mercer (RHP, Caracas, Venezuela)

May 4 – Alec Bouchard, Jr., Wofford (RHP, Soddy Daisy, TN)

May 11 – Jess Ackerman, Mercer, LHP (Sr., Cumming, GA / North Forsyth)

UNCG: NCAA TICKET PUNCHED! Softball Shuts Out Samford for SoCon Title

The Southern Conference — Mon, 11 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Outdoor Track and Field championships to be held in Cullowhee, North Carolina

Unknown — Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

CULLOWHEE, N.C. — The SoCon Outdoor Track & Field Championships return to Western Carolina’s Catamount Athletic Complex on Monday and Tuesday. This year marks the 101st men’s championship and the 39th women’s championship.

Monday’s schedule opens with the men’s decathlon at 9:30 a.m., followed by the women’s heptathlon at 10 a.m. Day 1 concludes with the men’s and women’s 10,000m finals at 7:35 p.m. and 8:20 p.m., respectively.

Tuesday’s action resumes with the multi events at 9:15 a.m. The meet wraps up with the men’s and women’s 4x400m relays at 5:25 p.m. and 5:35 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony. Day 2 coverage will air live on ESPN+ beginning at 1:30 p.m. The complete schedule, live results, daily recaps, photos, and video highlights are available at SoConSports.com.

Storylines

• The event returns to Cullowhee for the first time since 2023. Previous championships hosted by Western Carolina were held in 2005, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2018, and 2021.

• Samford enters as the defending champion on both the men’s and women’s sides. The Bulldog men claimed their seventh overall and fifth straight title last year. The Samford women secured their sixth straight and eighth overall.

• Samford holds the top regular season mark in 13 men’s events and 10 women’s events, including the 800m, 100/110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, high jump, shot put, and hammer throw, where the Bulldogs lead on both sides.

• ETSU’s Micailah Cook is the only SoCon athlete to hold the top regular season mark in three women’s events: the 100m, 200m, and 400m.

• Samford’s Bradley Franklin enters the championship leading the nation in the men’s 110m hurdles after running 13.07 at the Tom Jones Memorial in April.

• Furman swept the top marks in the 1500m and 3000m steeplechase, led by Bryn Woodall (Men’s 1500m), Camryn Wennersten (Women’s 1500m), Colton Kempney (Men’s Steeple), and Annie Miller (Women’s Steeple).

• Western Carolina owns a sweep in the men’s and women’s discus, with Anthony Hawkins Jr. and Toria Roundtree topping the league standings.

• Western Carolina’s Austin Cline and Samford’s Bryce Davis each earned Athlete of the Week honors in men’s field on three occasions this season.

• Three 2025 OTK superlative honorees return: Micailah Cook (ETSU), Sherika Christie (Wofford) — No. 1 in the SoCon heptathlon — and Bryce Davis (Samford) — No. 1 in the men’s hammer.

• Three 2025 OTK gold medalists return to defend their titles: Micailah Cook (Women’s 200m & 400m), Bradley Franklin (Men’s 110H), and Kyle Kaufeld (Men’s Javelin). Samford will also look to defend its crown in the men’s 4x400m relay.

UNCG wins the SoCon Softball Championship

Unknown — Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

No. 1 UNCG 4, No. 2 Samford 0
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – No. 1 seed UNCG bested No. 2 seed Samford, winning 4-0 to clinch the conference title on Sunday at Frost Stadium at the SoCon Softball Championship presented by Chattanooga Tourism Company.

With their fourth SoCon tournament title, the Spartans (42-17) claimed the SoCon’s automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals. The selection show will air on ESPN2 on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET. UNCG last won the tournament in 2023, which was also played at Frost Stadium.

The game’s first run came in the bottom of the second inning. Rylie Williams hit a solo shot to left field, putting the Spartans ahead 1-0. One inning later, Avery Bouquin tripled the lead with a two-run homer of her own, giving UNCG a 3-0 lead.

The Spartans picked up an insurance run in the sixth inning. Madelyn McKinnon doubled off the right field wall, bringing Williams in to score.

Brooklyn Shroyer, the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, threw another gem, tossing a complete game, allowing just one hit and striking out seven batters. For the tournament, Shroyer went 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA over 18 innings, logging 22 strikeouts and giving up just five hits.

Williams was 3-for-3 in the game at the plate with an RBI and two runs scored. Nya South drew three walks and scored a run for UNCG.

Tournament Most Outstanding Player

Brooklyn Shroyer, Jr., RHP, UNCG

Knight Commission Pinnacle Award (highest GPA on championship-winning team)

Madelyn McKinnon, Sr., C, UNCG

All-Tournament Team
Avery Bouquin, UNCG

Laney Deane, UNCG

Macy Michael, UNCG

Brooklyn Shroyer, UNCG

Baileigh Pitts, Chattanooga

Taylor Long, Chattanooga

Katie Hart, Samford

Olivia Shaw, Samford

Makinley Turner, Samford

Lily Bell, Western Carolina

2026 SoCon Softball Championship
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Thursday, May 7
Game 1: No. 5 Chattanooga 10, No. 8 Furman 3
Game 2: No. 6 ETSU 7, No. 7 Mercer 0
Game 3: No. 4 Wofford 2, No. 5 Chattanooga 0
Game 4: No. 3 Western Carolina 2, No. 6 ETSU 1

Friday, May 8
Game 5: No. 1 UNCG 19, No. 4 Wofford 4
Game 6: No. 2 Samford 14, No. 3 Western Carolina 1
Game 7: No. 4 Wofford 5, No. 6 ETSU 4
Game 8: No. 5 Chattanooga 7, No. 3 Western Carolina 6

Saturday, May 9
Game 9: No. 1 UNCG 5, No. 2 Samford 0
Game 10: No. 5 Chattanooga 7, No. 4 Wofford 0
Game 11: No. 2 Samford 8, No. 5 Chattanooga 6

Sunday, May 10

Game 12: No. 1 UNCG 4, No. 2 Samford 0

Top two seeds set to face off in the SoCon Softball Championship

Unknown — Sat, 09 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

No. 1 UNCG 5, No. 2 Samford 0
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – In the first game of the day at the 2026 SoCon Softball Championship presented by Chattanooga Tourism Company at Frost Stadium on Saturday, top-seeded UNCG picked up a 5-0 shutout victory over No. 2 seed Samford.

Samford (27-30) will now play an elimination game later today at 4 p.m. against the winner of the game between No. 4 seed Wofford and No. 5 seed Chattanooga. UNCG (41-17) will play the winner of the 4 p.m. game from Saturday on Sunday at 10 a.m.

Second-team all-conference selection Nya South hit a solo home run in the first inning, giving UNCG an early lead. The Spartans would increase their lead in the third inning after SoCon Freshman of the Year Avery Bouquin drew a bases loaded walk, making the score 2-0 in favor of the No. 1 seed.

In the fourth inning, first-team all-conference infielder Macy Micheal homered to left field, putting UNCG ahead 3-0. The Spartans got their final two runs off the bat of Hadley Gardner in the fifth. Gardner hit a double to the right center gap, scoring all-freshman pick Jazmin Mejia and Bouquin on the play.

In a game that featured 15 players that were voted onto the SoCon all-conference or all-freshman teams, SoCon Pitcher of the Year Brooklyn Shroyer had the strongest performance. Shroyer got her 20^th win of the season inside the circle, striking out seven batters and allowing just one hit. The native of San Damas, California, has pitched 11 scoreless innings over two games in the tournament so far.

Michael led the UNCG offense, going 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored.

No. 5 Chattanooga 7, No. 4 Wofford 0
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – No. 5 seed Chattanooga continued its run at the 2026 SoCon Softball Championship presented by Chattanooga Tourism Company at Frost Stadium with a 7-0 win over No. 4 seed Wofford.

With the win, Chattanooga (25-27-1) advanced to face No. 2 Samford in an elimination game on Saturday at 4 p.m. Wofford ends its season with a 35-19 record.

After a scoreless first inning, Chattanooga put three on the board in the second. Three straight singles loaded the bases before Zoe Wright hit a double to the left center gap, bringing each runner across home plate.

Two innings later, Chloe Lackey crushed a two-run shot over the left field fence, making the score 5-0 in favor of the Mocs. The team’s final two runs came off a home run by Abi Bunt in the fifth.

Emery Bales came out of the bullpen to get her ninth win of the season inside the circle. Bales pitched four innings, striking out three batters and surrendering just two hits.

Lackey was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, finishing a triple away from the cycle for Chattanooga. Ava Cowart and Jade Gainer each had a pair of hits for the Mocs. Brianna Stanley, Gracie Parker and Desirae Devine all had hits for Wofford.

No. 2 Samford 8, No. 5 Chattanooga 6
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – No. 2 seed Samford rallied back and held on for a hard-fought win over No. 5 seed Chattanooga, 8-6, in the final game of day three at the 2026 SoCon Softball Championship presented by Chattanooga Tourism Company at Frost Stadium on Saturday.

The Bulldogs (28-30) will face No. 1 seed UNCG on Sunday at 10 a.m. with the tournament title on the line. Samford is looking for its first conference tournament title in 10 years. The Spartans are going for their fourth tournament crown.

Chattanooga finished its season with a 25-29-1 record.

Samford got on the board on its first at-bat as Brandy Phillips hit a leadoff home run to left field.

Chattanooga built its lead to four runs in the third inning. The Mocs loaded the bases after two singles, a sacrifice bunt and a walk. Baileigh Pitts then singled to left field, scoring Chloe Lackey to make the score 1-1.

Anna Dovey brought two runners across home plate on the next at-bat, doubling to left center field. The next batter was Abi Bunt, who singled and was thrown out trying to advance to second base, but that was not before Pitts and Dovey crossed home plate, making the score 5-1 in favor of the Mocs.

In the bottom of the fourth, SoCon Player of the Year Olivia Shaw doubled down the left field line, bringing Joi Hubbard and Katie Hart in to score and cutting the lead in half. One inning later, the Bulldogs loaded the bases after three walks before a fielding error allowed two runs to score, tying the game at 5-5 heading into the sixth inning.

Samford continued to have quality at-bats and took the lead in the sixth. Shaw and Katie Campbell drew walks before Ella Nelson laid down a sacrifice bunt, placing both runners in scoring position. Addison Smith hit the tournament’s first triple on the next at-bat, making the score 7-5. Brantley Drake scored Smith on an RBI groundout after that, putting the Bulldogs ahead 8-5.

Lackey led off the final frame with a solo home run on the first pitch she saw, closing the gap to 8-6. Raven Jones and Zoe Wright delivered back-to-back singles on the next two at-bats, placing runners on first and second with zero outs.

Samford got outs on the next two plays via runner’s interference and a groundout. Makinley Turner walked the next batter on four pitches to load the bases, but forced an infield pop out on her next pitch, clinching the Bulldogs’ spot in the championship game.

Turner got the win for Samford inside the circle, throwing four innings out of the bullpen.

Hart and Brooke Wildes both went 2-for-3 at the plate for the Bulldogs. Pitts, Lackey and Jones all had two hits for Chattanooga.

Game 12: No. 1 UNCG vs. No. 2 Samford, 10 a.m.

Day two of SoCon Softball Championships in the books

Unknown — Sat, 09 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

No. 1 UNCG 19, No. 4 Wofford 4
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – No. 1 seed UNCG had an offensive explosion in the first game of day two at the 2026 SoCon Softball Championship presented by Chattanooga Tourism Company at Frost Stadium on Friday, winning, 19-4, over No. 4 seed Wofford.

The Spartans (40-17) advanced to play at 10 a.m. on Saturday against the winner of the Samford and Western Carolina game. Wofford (34-18) will face No. 6 seed ETSU in an elimination game at 4 p.m. later today.

The two teams combined for a total of four hits in the first 2 ½ innings played. UNCG began its offensive outburst in the bottom of the third. Second-team all-conference selection Nya South hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Madelyn McKinnon for the game’s first run. Fellow second-team performer Laney Deane crushed a three-run homer to left field in the next at-bat, making the score 4-0.

The bottom half of the fourth inning was record-breaking for the Spartans. UNCG finished with 12 hits and 15 runs in the inning, both establishing new records for the SoCon Tournament. The frame was highlighted by three-run home runs from first-team all-conference selection Macy Michael and second team pick and SoCon Freshman of the Year Avery Bouquin.

Wofford got all of its runs in the fifth inning. First-team all-conference selection Brianna Stanley hit a bases-clearing double, giving the Terriers their first three runs. Two batters later, Kaytlin Greenwood hit an RBI single, bringing Madison Thieke across home plate for the game’s final score.

SoCon Pitcher of the Year Brooklyn Shroyer (19-6) threw four innings for UNCG, recording eight strikeouts and giving up three hits.

Six different Spartans had two or more hits. Bouquin finished the game with five RBIs, while Michael and Deane each had four.

UNCG set conference tournament records for most runs in a game (19), most RBIs (19) and largest margin of victory (15). The two teams combined for the most runs scored in a SoCon Tournament game (23).

No. 2 Samford 14, No. 3 Western Carolina 1
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The No. 2 seed Samford Bulldogs defeated the No. 3 seed Western Carolina Catamounts, 14-1, in five innings on Friday during the 2026 SoCon Softball Championship presented by Chattanooga Tourism Company at Frost Stadium.

Samford (27-29) will now face the No. 1 seed UNCG at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with the winner of that game advancing to the championship round. Western Carolina (34-23) will face No. 5 Chattanooga in an elimination game later today at 7 p.m.

The Bulldogs began the game with three straight singles, before Addison Smith had an RBI single to bring the first run of the game across home plate. Brantley Drake and Brooke Wildes each singled on the next two at-bats, driving in three more runs to give Samford a 4-0 lead.

In the top of the second inning, Western Carolina scored their run. After hitting a double to lead off the frame, Maya McPherson scored on a wild pitch later in the inning.

Samford got four more runs in the second. The first coming from an RBI single by Ella Nelson. Drake and Wildes once again drove in runs, Drake on a double and Wildes on a single.

Olivia Shaw and Katie Campbell, both first-team all-conference selections, each drove in a run during the third inning, making the score 10-1. One inning later, Shaw blasted a two-out grand slam to left field, stretching the Bulldogs lead to 14-1.

Shaw, who is the SoCon Player of the Year, went 4-for-4, including the grand slam and two doubles, while logging five RBIs and three runs scored. Drake finished with four RBIs.

No. 4 Wofford 5, No. 6 ETSU 4
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – No. 4 seed Wofford rallied back to defeat No. 6 seed ETSU, 5-4, during the third game of the day at the 2026 SoCon Softball Championship presented by Chattanooga Tourism Company at Frost Stadium.

Wofford advances to Saturday’s 1 p.m. game against either No. 3 seed Western Carolina or No. 5 seed Chattanooga. ETSU ends its season at 22-30.

ETSU got on the board in the top of the first inning. Whitney Boone hit an RBI single, scoring one run before an error allowed a second run to score. Leinani Lutu singled on the next at-bat, bringing Boone across home plate to put the Bucs ahead, 3-0.

The score stayed the same until the bottom of the fifth inning. Following a walk and a pair of fielder’s choices which placed runners on first and second, Kaytlin Greenwood doubled to left center, scoring Abbi Campbell and Addison Lucier, cutting the score to 3-2. After that, the Terriers loaded the bases following a pair of walks and a fielder’s choice.

With the bases juiced, first-team all-conference selection Desirae Devine delivered a double to the left center gap, clearing the bags and making the score 5-3 in favor of Wofford.

In the next half inning, ETSU cut the lead in half. Riley Martens began the frame with a double and a single from Maddison Stowell placed runners on the corners. After that, Hailey Porter, an all-freshman team selection, hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Martens to make the score 5-4. However, a strikeout and a fielder’s choice out ended the frame following the run.

In the seventh inning, Lutu hit a one-out double and advanced to third base on a groundout. Wofford pitcher Abby Greenwood then forced a popout, ending the inning and the game.

Greenwood (14-6) went the distance inside the circle, logging her 14^th complete game of the season.

Lucier was 2-for-4 with a run scored to lead the Terriers at the plate. Lutu and Martens both had a pair of hits for the Buccaneers.

No. 5 Chattanooga 7, No. 3 Western Carolina 6
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – No. 5 seed Chattanooga won a thriller over No. 3 seed Western Carolina, 7-6, in the final game of day two at the 2026 SoCon Softball Championship presented by Chattanooga Tourism Company at Frost Stadium on Friday.

The Mocs overcame a three-run deficit in the game’s final inning to advance. Chattanooga (24-28-1) will now play in Saturday’s 1 p.m. game versus No. 4 seed Wofford, which will be an elimination game. Western Carolina ends its season at 34-24.

Chattanooga scored the first runs of the game on one swing of the bat. Following singles from Ava Cowart and Annika Segedi, Baileigh Pitts crushed the first pitch she saw over the left field fence. The Mocs led 3-0 after three innings of play.

Western Carolina took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Sydnee Bumgarner came in as a pinch hitter and drew a leadoff walk, which was followed by a single from Lily Bell.

After the runners advanced to scoring position, Maya McPherson reached on an error as Courtney Marks, who re-entered the game for Bumgarner, and Bell crossed home plate on the play. Tate Stewman stepped into the batter’s box after that and hit a home run to right field, scoring two runs and putting the Catamounts ahead 4-3.

In the sixth inning, Western Carolina extended its lead to 6-3. After three singles loaded the bases, Taylor Waitley drew a walk. Two batters later, McPherson also drew a bases-loaded walk, setting the stage for the dramatic final frame.

Raven Jones doubled to begin the inning. Following an error and a single by Cowart, the Mocs had the bases loaded with zero outs. Abi Bunt got an RBI infield single during the next at-bat, closing the gap to two runs. Pitts followed with an RBI single of her own, making the score 6-5.

On the next at-bat, Mia Leone hit a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing Cowart in to score and tying the game at 6-6. Following a walk to reload the bases, Chloe Lackey singled through the left side, scoring Segedi and completing the rally.

Taylor Long, who threw 192 pitches, tossed her 16^th complete game of the season. She finished with 11 strikeouts and surrendered just two earned runs.

Pitts was 4-for-4 with four RBIs and a run scored. Cowart and Jones both had two hits for the Mocs. Bell led the Catamounts at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Friday, May 8
Game 5: No. 1 UNCG 19, No. 4 Wofford 4
Game 6: No. 2 Samford 14, No. 3 Western Carolina 1
Game 7: No. 4 Wofford 5, No. 6 ETSU 4
Game 8: No. 5 Chattanooga 7, No. 3 Western Carolina 6

Saturday, May 9
Game 9: No. 1 UNCG vs. No. 2 Samford, 10 a.m.
Game 10: No. 4 Wofford vs. No. 5 Chattanooga, 1 p.m.
Game 11: Game 10 winner vs. Game 9 loser, 4 p.m.

Sunday, May 10

Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 11 winner, 10 a.m.
Game 13 (if necessary): Game 12 winner vs. Game 12 loser, 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 12

Day one of SoCon Softball Championships in the books

Unknown — Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

No. 5 Chattanooga 10, No. 8 Furman 3
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – No. 5 seed Chattanooga pulled away late from No. 8 seed Furman, winning 10-3 in the opening game of the Southern Conference Softball Championship presented by Chattanooga Tourism Company at Frost Stadium on Thursday.

The Mocs (23-27-1) advance to play No. 4 seed Wofford (33-17) later today at 4 p.m. The Paladins (13-40) were eliminated from the tournament.

Chattanooga scored first via a sacrifice fly off the bat of second-team all-conference selection Bailiegh Pitts, scoring all-freshman team pick Ava Cowart to give the Mocs a 1-0 lead.

Furman took the lead in the top of the second inning, getting runs from Rachel Hawkins and Christina McCoy to take 2-1 lead. The Mocs would tie the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the frame following an RBI double from Raven Jones.

Pitts broke the tie with a solo home run to center field in the bottom of the third. In the next half inning, second-team and all-freshman team selection Kristyn Embler hit an RBI single to left field for Furman, tying the score at 3-3.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, one swing of the bat gave Chattanooga the lead for good. Anna Dovey blasted a grand slam over the center field fence, giving the Mocs a 7-3 lead.

Pitts and Dovey drew back-to-back bases-loaded walks in the sixth inning, making the score 9-3. Annika Segedi scored the final run of the game on a passed ball later in the frame.

Taylor Long (12-15) picked up the win inside the circle, tossing a complete game and striking out 11 batters.

Cowart went 2-for-4 with three runs scored in the leadoff spot for the Mocs. Embler was 2-for-4 at the plate for the Paladins.

No. 6 ETSU 7, No. 7 Mercer 0
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – No. 6 seed ETSU defeated No. 7 seed Mercer, 7-0, in the second game of the 2026 Southern Conference Softball Championship presented by Chattanooga Tourism Company on Thursday at Frost Stadium.

ETSU (22-28) advances to play No. 3 seed Western Carolina later today at 7 p.m. The Bears (20-30) were eliminated for the tournament.

The Buccaneers were powered by pitcher Eden Muncy’s masterpiece inside the pitcher’s circle. Muncy, who won SoCon Pitcher of the Week on Monday for her work in the final weekend of the regular season, recorded the first no-hitter at the SoCon Tournament since 2016. The sophomore from Duffield, Virginia, had three strikeouts and gave up two walks in the fifth inning. The other six innings were perfect for Muncy.

ETSU scored their first run in the fourth inning off an RBI single from all-freshman team selection Riley Croley. Riley Martens laid down a sacrifice bunt on the next at-bat, scoring Leinani Lutu and making score 2-0 in favor of the Bucs.

In the next inning, Whitney Boone singled, bringing second-team all-conference selection Abigail Taylor across home plate for the team’s first score of the frame. Two batters later, Tiare Rieger hit an RBI single, making the score 4-0.

Martens kept the rally going after that, hitting a two-run RBI single up the middle. Leilani Coleman-Til hit a single on the next at-bat, bringing Martens in to score for the game’s final run.

Boone, Croley, Rieger and Coleman-Til all had two hits in the contest. Martens finished with three RBIs.

No. 4 Wofford 2, No. 5 Chattanooga 0
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – No. 4 seed Wofford won over No. 5 seed Chattanooga, 2-0, in the third game of the 2026 Southern Conference Championship presented by Chattanooga Tourism Company at Frost Stadium.

The Terriers (34-17) advance to play No. 1 seed UNCG (39-17) on Friday at 10 a.m. The Mocs (23-28-1) fall to an elimination contest on Friday at 7 p.m. against an opponent to be determined.

Wofford scored its first run in the opening frame. Gracie Parker hit an RBI groundout to the shortstop, bringing second-team all-conference selection Addison Lucier in to score.

Chattanooga nearly tied the game in the fifth inning. Raven Jones reached on an error and advanced to second base. Zoe Wright singled through the right side in the next at-bat, but Jones was thrown out at the plate by Wofford right fielder Abbi Campbell, keeping the score at 1-0.

Madison Thieke scored the second run of the game as Wofford executed a double steal with one out in the sixth inning. The Terriers then had a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh to secure the victory.

Both pitchers went the distance for their respective squad. Abby Greenwood (13-6) threw a complete game for Wofford, striking out six batters and allowing just three hits. Taylor Long (12-16) pitched six innings for Chattanooga, logging seven strikeouts and giving up four hits.

No. 3 Western Carolina 2, No. 6 ETSU 1
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The No. 3 seed Western Carolina Catamounts topped the No. 6 seed ETSU Buccaneers, 2-1, in the final game of day one at the 2026 Southern Conference Softball Championship presented by Chattanooga Tourism Company on Thursday at Frost Stadium.

The Catamounts (34-22) advance to play No. 2 seed Samford (26-29) on Friday at 1 p.m. The Bucs (22-29) fall to an elimination game on Friday at 4 p.m. against an opponent to be determined.

Western Carolina scored each of its runs in the second inning. The first run came on a sacrifice fly by Tatum Martin, before second-team all-conference team selection Becka Wonsick stole home on a successful double steal.

ETSU got one of the runs back in the sixth inning. Whitney Boone and Leinani Lutu hit back-to-back doubles to begin the frame, making the score 2-1.

In the final frame, all-freshman team pick Hailey Porter hit a one-out single to right field, placing the tying run on base. However, the Catamounts retired the next two batters via a fly out and a strikeout to close the game.

First-team all-conference pitcher Amanda Fulton threw her 16th complete game of the season for Western Carolina, striking out four batters and allowing one earned run.

Wonsick and second-team all-conference selection Lily Bell each had two hits for the Catamounts. Porter was 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the Bucs.

Friday, May 8
Game 5: No. 1 UNCG vs. No. 4 Wofford, 10 a.m.
Game 6: No. 2 Samford vs. No. 3 Western Carolina, 1 p.m.
Game 7: No. 6 ETSU vs. Game 5 loser, 4 p.m.
Game 8: No. 5 Chattanooga vs. Game 6 loser, 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 9
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 10 a.m.
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 1 p.m.
Game 11: Game 10 winner vs. Game 9 loser, 4 p.m.

Sunday, May 10

Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 11 winner, 10 a.m.
Game 13 (if necessary): Game 12 winner vs. Game 12 loser, 30 minutes after the conclusion of Game 12

SoCon announces Outdoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week

Unknown — Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford’s Zeph Carico‑McLennan, Kyle Kaufelds, Jessica Edwards, and Kiera‑Lee Abrahams have been selected as this week’s Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week, the conference office announced Wednesday.

The Bulldogs competed at the 2026 Maroon and White Tune‑Up hosted by Mississippi State, their final meet before the conference championships.

Carico‑McLennan posted a time of 1:46.59 in the men’s 800m, placing fourth overall and recording the top mark in the SoCon this season.

Kaufelds, the SoCon’s regular‑season javelin leader, won the men’s javelin with a throw of 62.97m.

Edwards ran a league‑leading 2:03.53 in the women’s 800m, finishing second by just 0.12 seconds.

Abrahams tied the conference lead in the women’s long jump with a winning mark of 6.09m.

The Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships will be held next in Cullowhee, North Carolina, beginning Monday, May 11.

Also nominated: Brayden Seymour, Furman – Men’s Track, Emery Anderson, UNCG – Men's Track, Claire Cook, Furman – Women's Track, Hailey Meyers, UNCG – Women's Track, Ryleigh Simmons, Chattanooga – Women's Track

2025-26 Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week

March 18	Men’s Track – Trevor Williams, WCU Men’s Field – Austin Cline, WCU Women’s Track – Shaneil Lysight, WCU Women’s Field – Ellison Chadwick, Samford
March 25	Men’s Track – Trevor Williams, WCU Men’s Field – Austin Cline, WCU Women’s Track – Naturale Faison, VMI Women’s Field – Sadler Miller, WCU
April 1	Men's Track - Albert Velikonja, Furman Men's Field - Bryce Davis, Samford Women's Track - Aaliyah Mbenda, Samford Women's Field - JT Shaw, Samford
April 8	Men's Track - Christian Roberts, WCU Men's Field - Austin Cline, WCU Women's Track - Taylor Jennings-Ward, Wofford Women's Field - Toria Roundtree, WCU
April 15	Men’s Track – Bradley Franklin, Samford Men’s Field – Bryce Davis, Samford Women’s Track – Annie Miller, Furman Women’s Field – Lindsey Havens, Samford
April 22	Men’s Track – Bradley Franklin, Samford Men’s Field – Bryce Davis, Samford Women’s Track – Micailah Cook, ETSU Women’s Field – JT Shaw, Samford
April 29	Men’s Track – Bryn Woodall, Furman Men’s Field – Arthur Chitty, Samford Women’s Track – Sierra Bower, Furman Women’s Field – Dorsey Parker, Samford
May 6	Men’s Track – Zeph Carico-McLennan, Samford Men’s Field – Kyle Kaufelds, Samford Women’s Track – Jessica Edwards, Samford Women’s Field – Kiera-Lee Abrahams, Samford

Softball Championship Schedule Update

Unknown — Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Thursday, May 7
Game 1: No. 5 Chattanooga vs. No. 8 Furman, 10 a.m.
Game 2: No. 6 ETSU vs. No. 7 Mercer, 1 p.m.
Game 3: No. 4 Wofford vs. Game 1 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 4: No. 3 Western Carolina vs. Game 2 winner, 7 p.m.

Softball Championship Schedule Update

Unknown — Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

All-SoCon softball teams announced

Unknown — Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford infielder Olivia Shaw has been named the Southern Conference Player of the Year and UNCG right-hander Brooklyn Shroyer has been named the SoCon Pitcher of the Year in voting of the league’s eight head coaches. Spartans’ catcher/infielder Avery Bouquin was voted the SoCon Freshmen of the Year and UNCG’s Janelle Breneman was recognized by her peers as the league’s coach of the year.

The coaches also named All-SoCon first and second teams and an all-freshman team. Due to a tie in the voting, an extra utility/pitcher is on the first team. On the second team, an extra infielder and outfielder were included based on a tie in the voting.

Shaw, who was the SoCon Preseason Player of the Year, finished the season in the top 10 in the SoCon in seven offensive categories, including leading the conference in doubles (17). The native of Hoschton, Georgia, leads the Bulldogs in batting average (.381), hits (64) and runs (43). The junior, who played and started all 55 games for Samford, finished the season with 18 multi-hit games and two or more RBIs in a game on 15 occasions. Shaw is the Bulldogs’ fourth SoCon Player of the Year, the first since Mary Katherine Tedder in 2022.

Shroyer amassed 18 wins and two saves with a 1.58 ERA, striking out 163 batters in 141.1 innings pitched over 30 appearances (19 starts) this season. The junior tossed nine shutouts this season, which is ranked third in the NCAA. Shroyer was named the SoCon Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 23, March 9 and March 30. The product of San Dimas, California, became UNCG’s second winner of SoCon Pitcher of the Year, joining the 2021 and 2022 recipient Morgan Scott.

Bouquin played in 52 games with 51 starts for UNCG, completing the regular season with a .362 batting average, five home runs, 16 doubles, which is second in the SoCon, and 35 RBIs. The Palmetto, Florida, native had two or more hits in 14 games, with six of those coming in league contests. Bouquin is UNCG’s fifth recipient of the SoCon Freshman of the Year award.

Breneman earned SoCon Coach of the Year for the fifth time, marking her first win since the 2023 season. In her 14^th year at the helm, Breneman led UNCG to a 39-17 overall record and a 17-4 mark in SoCon games. The Spartans won the SoCon regular season crown for the seventh time and will be the conference tournament’s No. 1 seed. UNCG leads the league in ERA (2.22), strikeouts (291) and doubles (90), while placing second in hits (449), RBIs (294) and home runs (60).

UNCG led the league with eight all-conference selections. The Spartans had three first-team selections as Shroyer was joined by infielder Macy Michael and outfielder Kaylyn Belfield on the squad. Samford, Western Carolina and Wofford had three selections on the first team. Shaw made the squad alongside teammates, catcher Katie Campbell and utility/pitcher Brandy Phillips. The Catamounts were represented by pitcher Amanda Fulton, infielder Maya McPherson and outfielder Sydney Dirks. The Terriers’ first team selections were outfielder Desirae Devine and Brianna Stanley, who was selected as an infielder and designated player. Mercer’s Grace Jones rounded out the first team as an utility/pitcher.

UNCG had five selections on the second team as Bouquin, pitcher Rhyann Jones, infielder Laney Deane, outfielder Rylie Williams and designated player Nya South made the squad. Western Carolina had three picks on the second team with infielders Lily Bell and Tate Stewman and outfielder Becka Wonsick making the team. Samford’s selections were pitcher Makinley Turner and outfielder Addison Smith. ETSU outfielder Abigail Taylor, Furman utility/pitcher Kristyn Embler, Chattanooga infielder Baileigh Pitts and Wofford catcher Addison Lucier completed the second team picks.

Bouquin and Embler also made the all-freshman team. They were joined by ETSU’s Riley Croley and Hailey Porter, UNCG’s Jazmin Mejia, Samford’s Reese Hickey, Chattanooga’s Ava Cowart, and Western Carolina’s Briony Bunsic, Kayden Lyda and Amari Burce.

The Southern Conference Softball Championship gets underway on Wednesday at Frost Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The tournament runs through Saturday, with each game slated to be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Player of the Year

Olivia Shaw, Jr., INF, Samford

Pitcher of the Year

Brooklyn Shroyer, Jr., RHP, UNCG

Freshman of the Year

Avery Bouquin, C/INF, UNCG

Coach of the Year

Janelle Breneman, UNCG

First Team

P – Brooklyn Shroyer, UNCG

P – Amanda Fulton, Western Carolina

C – Katie Campbell, Samford

INF – Macy Michael, UNCG

INF – Olivia Shaw, Samford

INF – Maya McPherson, Western Carolina

INF – Brianna Stanley, Wofford

OF – Kaylyn Belfield, UNCG

OF – Sydney Dirks, Western Carolina

OF – Desirae Devine, Wofford

DP or UT/Non-P – Brianna Stanley, Wofford

UT/P – Brandy Phillips, Samford

UT/P – Grace Jones, Mercer

Second Team

P – Rhyann Jones, UNCG

P – Makinley Turner, Samford

C – Addison Lucier, Wofford

INF – Avery Bouquin, UNCG

INF – Laney Deane, UNCG

INF – Baileigh Pitts, Chattanooga

INF – Lily Bell, Western Carolina

INF – Tate Stewman, Western Carolina

OF – Abigail Taylor, ETSU

OF – Rylie Williams, UNCG

OF – Addison Smith, Samford

OF – Becka Wonsick, Western Carolina

DP or UT/Non-P – Nya South, UNCG

UT/P – Kristyn Embler, Furman

All-Freshman

Riley Croley, UTL, ETSU

Hailey Porter, INF, ETSU

Kristyn Embler, INF/P, Furman

Avery Bouquin, C/INF, UNCG

Jazmin Mejia, INF/OF, UNCG

Reese Hickey, P, Samford

Ava Cowart, OF, Chattanooga

Briony Bunsic, P/INF, Western Carolina

Kayden Lyda, INF, Western Carolina

Amari Burce, P/DP, Western Carolina

Men's Golf All-SoCon Postseason Honors Announced

Unknown — Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SPARTANBURG, SC – Western Carolina’s Tyler Jones was named 2026 Southern Conference Player of the Year, Chattanooga’s Evan Rogers was named SoCon Freshman of the Year and Chattanooga head coach Blaine Woodruff was named SoCon Coach of the Year Tuesday.

Voting was conducted among the conference’s eight head coaches. A 10-man All-Conference team and a five-man All-Freshman team were also selected.

Jones (Jacksonville, NC / Jacksonville HS) paced the SoCon this season with a 70.31 stroke average. He finished in the top-3 individually six times during the regular season, including medalist honors at the JT Poston Invitational, the Compadres Collegiate, and the Wofford Invitational. Jones is one of three SoCon golfers ranked inside the top-200 nationally and was named SoCon Player of the Week a league-high four times this season – winning the first week on September 10 and the final week on April 15. Jones is the third Catamount to earn SoCon Player of the Year honors, joining J.T. Poston (2014) and Bruce Kullman (1991).

Rogers (Duluth, GA / Hebron Christian Academy) was the top freshman on the SoCon tour and ranked as the top golfer nationally among all SoCon golfers at No. 178 after the conference championship. Rogers played 30 rounds this season, recording a strong 71.93 stroke average. He won the 2026 Racer Intercollegiate in Kentucky with a 7-under par 209 and earned SoCon Golfer of the Week honors following that medalist performance. Rogers finished third at the recent SoCon Men’s Golf Championship at Solina Golf Club in West Columbia, SC, leading the Mocs to their first team championship since 2013. Rogers was the lone golfer, regardless of class, to finish each of the three rounds under par (68-70-69). Rogers is the fourth Chattanooga golfer to earn SoCon Freshman of the Year honors and is the first since Andrew Weathers did so in 2015.

Woodruff is the sixth Chattanooga head coach to earn the SoCon Coach of the Year award, and the first since Mark Guhne was chosen in 2012. Woodruff strategically positioned the Mocs for success with a challenging regular season schedule, which included a pair of sixth-place finishes in March at the Collegiate River Collegiate and Hootie Intercollegiate and a first-place effort at the Racer Intercollegiate on April 7. The Mocs were ranked No. 66 nationally in the most recent Scoreboard tabulation, 20 spots higher than the next closest SoCon team. Woodruff led the Mocs to their first SoCon team title since 2013 and seventh championship overall. Chattanooga will make its 10^th appearance in an NCAA Regional.

Chattanooga led the way with three All-SoCon selections, with sophomore Ward Harris and junior Camden Braidech joining Rogers. Classmate Griffin Law joined Rogers on the All-Freshman team, with three ETSU golfers rounding out that quintet.

SoCon Player of the Year

Tyler Jones, R-So., Western Carolina (Jacksonville, NC / Jacksonville HS)

SoCon Freshman of the Year

Evan Rogers, Fr., Chattanooga (Duluth, GA / Hebron Christian Academy)

SoCon Coach of the Year

Blaine Woodruff, Chattanooga

SoCon All-Conference Team

Tyler Jones, R-So., Western Carolina

Evan Rogers, Fr., Chattanooga

Ward Harris, So., Chattanooga

Harris Barth, Sr., Furman

Kelvin Hernandez, Jr., UNC Greensboro

Gavin Isbell, So., Samford

Gavin Tiernan, So., ETSU

Henry Robards, So., Mercer

Camden Braidech, Jr., Chattanooga

Yannick Malik, Sr., ETSU

SoCon All-Freshman Team

Evan Rogers, Fr., Chattanooga

Richard Saunders, Fr., ETSU

Oliver Blackadder, Fr., ETSU

Griffin Law, Fr., Chattanooga

Veigar Heidarsson, Fr., ETSU

SoCon Announces Final Softball Weekly Awards

Unknown — Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SPARTANBURG, SC – Wofford redshirt junior Kaytlin Greenwood was named SoCon Player of the Week and ETSU sophomore Eden Muncy was named Pitcher of the Week for games played from April 27-May 3.

Greenwood (Columbia, SC / Cardinal Newman HS) led Wofford to a series sweep of Western Carolina last weekend, batting .500 (5-of-10) with four runs scored, a double, one home run, four RBI and three steals. She forged a 1.400 OPS and collected at least one hit in each of the three games.

This season, Greenwood is batting .316 with 11 doubles, three home runs, 31 RBI, and 19 stolen bases in 50 games started at shortstop.

Muncy (Duffield, VA / Rye Cove HS) went 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA in a pair of starts last week, going the distance in wins over Gardner-Webb (4-3) and Mercer (8-1). She fanned five batters, scattered seven hits and held opposing batters to a frigid .143 batting average.

In 20 appearances this season, Muncy has gone 4-6 with a 2.65 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 82.0 innings of work in the circle.

Also nominated for Player of the Week: Whitney Boone (ETSU), Hadley Gardner (UNC Greensboro).

Also nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Natalya Salo (Wofford), Brooklyn Shroyer (UNC Greensboro).

2025-26 SoCon Player 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

May 4 - Kaytlin Greenwood, R-Jr., SS, Wofford

2025-26 SoCon Pitcher 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

May 4 - Eden Muncy, So., ETSU

SoCon Announces Baseball Weekly Awards for May 4

Unknown — Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SPARTANBURG, SC – Mercer senior Chris Katz was named SoCon Baseball Player of the Week and Wofford junior Alec Bouchard was named SoCon Pitcher of the Week following games played from April 27-May 3.

Katz (Raleigh, NC / Heritage HS) batted .500 (7-of-15) with two home runs, seven runs scored, three doubles, and eight RBI in four games for the Bears last week. He started with a bang, driving in six runs on two hits in a 10-9 win at Georgia Southern – belting a game-tying grand slam in the bottom of the ninth. Teammate Eli Stephens followed with a solo shot on the next pitch to win that game. In a series win over Samford, Katz led Mercer with a 2-for-4 effort in the opening victory, then went 3-for-4 with four runs scored, a double and a home run in Saturday’s series clincher. Katz finished the week with an eye-popping 1.775 OPS.

Katz has been a workhorse for the Bears this season, batting .399 in 48 starts with 16 home runs, 59 RBI, 15 doubles and a .511 on base percentage. Katz leads the SoCon in RBI and ranks second in home runs. He has struck out only 17 times in 183 at bats this season and has drawn 46 free passes (40 walks, six HBP). The Bears (35-13, 9-6 SoCon) sit in a four-way tie for second place currently with ETSU, Samford, and Wofford.

Bouchard (Soddy Daisy, TN / Notre Dame HS) secured his second SoCon Pitcher of the Week award this season with a 9.0 inning, complete-game effort in the series opener vs. first-place Western Carolina. The junior righty struck out 14 batters, didn’t issue a walk, and allowed only two hits and one run. The Terriers went on to a 5-1 win, increasing Bouchard’s league-leading win total on the mound.

In 12 starts this season, Bouchard has gone 8-2 with a 1.68 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 69.2 innings of work. He leads all SoCon starting pitchers in wins, ERA, strikeouts and innings pitched. Opposing teams are batting just .198 against Bouchard this season. Wofford (31-17, 9-6 SoCon) is in a four-way tie with Mercer, Samford, and ETSU heading into May.

Also nominated for Player of the Week: Jacob Budzik (UNC Greensboro), Jamie Palmese (ETSU), Noah Quarless (Western Carolina), Cole Raile (VMI).

Also nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Tadan Bell (ETSU), Noah Berry (Samford), Will Holmes (The Citadel), John Horton (UNC Greensboro), Garrett Lambert (Mercer), Mason Snyder (Western Carolina).

2025-26 SoCon Player of the Week

Feb. 16 – Andrew Quarless, R-So., Western Carolina (C, Winston-Salem, NC)

Feb. 23 – Braydon Kersey, Jr., Mercer (DH/INF, Alpharetta, GA)

Mar. 2 – Titan Kamaka, Sr., Mercer (SS, Orlando, FL)

Mar. 9 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)

Mar. 16 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)

Mar. 23 – Tristan Curless, Sr., ETSU (1B/P, Amarillo, TX)

Mar. 30 – Parker McDonald, Sr., Samford (3B, Tallahassee, FL)

Apr. 6 – Ben Timblin, So., Wofford (Signal Mountain, TN)

Apr. 13 – Jaylen Jones, R-Fr., Western Carolina (Loganville, GA)

Apr. 20 – Tristan Curless, Sr., ETSU (1B/P, Amarillo, TX)

Apr. 27 – Michael Gibson, Sr., The Citadel (DH/P, Rock Hill, SC)

May 4 – Chris Katz, Sr., Mercer (OF, Raleigh, NC)

2025-26 SoCon Pitcher of the Week

Feb. 16 – Andrew Marble, Jr., Samford (RHP, Hurley, MS)

Feb. 23 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)

Mar. 2 – Bryce Coulter, Jr., The Citadel (RHP, Sumter, SC)

Mar. 9 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)

Mar. 16 – Carter Burnette, So., Western Carolina (RHP, Asheville, NC)

Mar. 23 – Joseph Lee, Sr., Samford (RHP, San Jose, CA)

Mar. 30 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)

Apr. 6 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)

Apr. 13 – Alec Bouchard, Jr., Wofford (RHP, Soddy Daisy, TN)

Apr. 20 – Garrett Lambert, R-Fr., Mercer (RHP, Lilburn, GA)

Apr. 27 – Miguel Hugas, Jr., Mercer (RHP, Caracas, Venezuela)

May 4 – Alec Bouchard, Jr., Wofford (RHP, Soddy Daisy, TN)

SoCon Softball Championship bracket set

Unknown — Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – UNCG is the SoCon regular-season champion and will be the No. 1 seed in the Southern Conference Softball Championship, which will be contested at Frost Stadium in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from May 6-9.

All eight Southern Conference teams will participate in the tournament, with seeds 5 and 8 participating in a single-elimination game on Wednesday, May 6, at 10 a.m., and seeds 6 and 7 playing in a single-elimination game later that day at 1 p.m. for the right to advance to the double-elimination portion of the bracket. The championship game will take place on Sunday, May 9, at 1 p.m., with a second game, if necessary, beginning 30 minutes after the completion of the first contest.

UNCG defeated Samford on Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader to claim the top seed. The Spartans lead the league in ERA (2.24) and strikeouts (291), while placing second in hits (449), RBIs (294) and home runs (60).

With the top seed, the Spartans earned a bye to Thursday’s action at the tournament and will take on either No. 4 seed Wofford, No. 5 seed Chattanooga or No. 8 seed Furman. UNCG took two of three games at Wofford on April 11-12 and won a pair of matchups with Chattanooga on April 25. The Spartans won two games against the Paladins on April 3.

Samford secured the No. 2 seed with a win over UNCG on Saturday in the squad’s second game of a doubleheader. After two straight seasons of being the No. 3 seed, the Bulldogs jumped up one spot in the rankings.

With the No. 2 seed, Samford earned a bye to Thursday’s action at the tournament and will face either No. 3 seed Western Carolina, No. 6 seed ETSU or No. 7 seed Mercer. The Bulldogs dropped two of three contests versus the Catamounts on April 11-12. Samford took two of three against ETSU on April 23-24, and Mercer on March 21-22.

Chattanooga and Furman closed out the regular season facing each other in a three-game series, which ended Sunday. The Mocs won each contest in the series. The two squads will face off Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the first game of the tournament.

ETSU takes on Mercer, the defending tournament champion, on Wednesday at 1 p.m. The Bucs and Bears completed a weekend series on Sunday, with ETSU taking two of the three games.

Wofford, the No. 4 seed for the second consecutive tournament, will play the winner of the Chattanooga and Furman at 4 p.m. on Wednesday. Western Carolina comes into the tournament as the No. 3 seed. The Catamounts will face the winner of the ETSU and Mercer game at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

2026 SoCon Softball Championship
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Wednesday, May 6
Game 1: No. 5 Chattanooga vs. No. 8 Furman, 10 a.m.
Game 2: No. 6 ETSU vs. No. 7 Mercer, 1 p.m.
Game 3: No. 4 Wofford vs. Game 1 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 4: No. 3 Western Carolina vs. Game 2 winner, 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 7
Game 5: No. 1 UNCG vs. Game 3 winner, 10 a.m.
Game 6: No. 2 Samford vs. Game 4 winner, 1 p.m.
Game 7: Game 4 loser vs. Game 5 loser, 4 p.m.
Game 8: Game 3 loser vs. Game 6 loser, 7 p.m.

Friday, May 8
Game 9: Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner, 10 a.m.
Game 10: Game 7 winner vs. Game 8 winner, 1 p.m.
Game 11: Game 10 winner vs. Game 9 loser, 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 9
Game 12: Game 9 winner vs. Game 11 winner, 1 p.m.
Game 13 (if necessary): Game 12 winner vs. Game 12 loser, 4 p.m.

2026 Baseball Championship presented by Holston Gases

Unknown — Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

2026 Baseball Championship presented by Holston Gases
May 20-23 Fluor Field Greenville, S.C.

BUY TICKETS HERE	BRACKET	PROGRAM	SOCONBASEBALL.COM

Day 1 // Wednesday, May 20
Game	Bracket	Matchup	Time	Stats	Video	Notes
Game 1	Bracket 1	#5 The Citadel vs. #8 VMI	9:00 AM	Box Score	ESPN+	Single Elimination
Game 2	Bracket 2	#6 ETSU vs. #7 UNC Greensboro	12:30 PM	Box Score	ESPN+	Single Elimination
Game 3	Bracket 1	Winner of Game 1 vs. #4 Wofford	4:00 PM	Box Score	ESPN+
Game 4	Bracket 2	Winner of Game 2 vs. #3 Samford	7:30 PM	Box Score	ESPN+
Day 2 // Thursday, May 21
Game	Bracket	Matchup	Time	Stats	Video	Notes
Game 5	Bracket 1	Winner of G3 vs. #1 Mercer	9:00 AM	Box Score	ESPN+
Game 6	Bracket 2	Winner of G4 vs. #2 Western Carolina	12:30 PM	Box Score	ESPN+
Game 7	Bracket 1	Loser of G5 vs. Loser of G3	4:00 PM	Box Score	ESPN+
Game 8	Bracket 2	Loser of G6 vs. Loser of G4	7:30 PM	Box Score	ESPN+
Day 3 // Friday, May 22
Game	Bracket	Matchup	Time	Stats	Video	Notes
Game 9	Bracket 1	Winner of G5 vs. Winner of G7	9:00 AM	Box Score	ESPN+
Game 10	Bracket 2	Winner of G6 vs. Winner of G8	12:30 PM	Box Score	ESPN+
Game 11	Bracket 1	Loser of G9 vs. Winner of G9	4:00 PM	Box Score	ESPN+	If Necessary
Game 12	Bracket 2	Loser of G10 vs. Winner of G10	7:30 PM	Box Score	ESPN+	If Necessary
Day 4 // Saturday, May 23
Game	–	Matchup	Time	Stats	Video	Notes
Championship Game		Bracket 1 Winner vs. Bracket 2 Winner	7:30 PM	Box Score	ESPNU	Single Elimination

Championship Information

Championship Bracket: Click Here

Tournament Program (PDF): Click Here

Tickets: $15 day pass ( Ticket Link Here )

Directions / General Information: SoConBaseball.com

GPS Address: 945 S. Main Street, Greenville, SC 29605

Parking: FREE parking is available in lots at 515 Pendleton St. and 706 Pendleton St., approximately a 10-minute walk from the stadium. For the convenience of the fans, a complimentary shuttle service runs from the parking lots to the Field Street Gate. Parking map

Hotels: SoConTravel.com

Review of past championships:
2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020* 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010

*2020 championship canceled due to COVID-19SoCon history:

Participating institutions:

CIT // ETSU // MER // UNCG // SAM // VMI // WCU // WOF

2025 Champions: ETSU Buccaneers

2026 Community Champion

SoCon Baseball Title Game to Air on ESPNU

Unknown — Fri, 01 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SPARTANBURG, SC – The Southern Conference announced today that the final game of the 2026 SoCon Baseball Championship, presented by Holston Gases, will air live on ESPNU.

The contest is set for a 7:30 pm first pitch on Saturday, May 23, at Fluor Field in Greenville, with fireworks scheduled after the game.

"We are excited to bring the SoCon Baseball Championship game, presented by Holston Gases, to ESPNU and continue building our strong partnership with ESPN,” said SoCon commissioner Michael Cross. “This national linear television broadcast will showcase the Conference’s ‘It’s All Here’ mindset through the exceptional talent and competitive excellence of SoCon baseball, the seventh-ranked conference in the NCAA. Our athletics directors and baseball coaches deserve substantial credit for their willingness to embrace a single-game championship format to make this broadcast possible. Their forward-thinking approach elevates the profile of SoCon baseball and the experience of their student-athletes.

“We look forward to crowning a champion on May 23rd and showcasing our conference on the national stage.”

The tournament begins on Wednesday, May 20, at 9:00 am. All games on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday will stream live on ESPN+.

Western Carolina (29-16, 10-5 SoCon) sits atop the standings heading into May, with Samford (23-19, 8-4 SoCon) and Wofford (30-15, 8-4 SoCon) close behind in a tie for second. ETSU (27-15, 9-6 SoCon) and Mercer (33-12, 7-5 SoCon) round out the current top-5.

The SoCon Baseball Championship, presented by Holston Gases, enters its 10^th consecutive year at Fluor Field, the 6,700-seat home of the Greenville Drive.

ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CONFERENCE

The Southern Conference, headquartered in Spartanburg, S.C., includes 10 member institutions across six states: The Citadel, East Tennessee State University, Furman University, Mercer University, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Samford University, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Virginia Military Institute, Western Carolina University, and Wofford College. Tennessee Tech University will join the SoCon as a full member on July 1, 2027.

Chattanooga Finishes 2026 SoCon Title Chase at Solina Golf Club

Unknown — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

WEST COLUMBIA, SC – Chattanooga finished the job Wednesday, winning its first SoCon men’s golf title since 2013 and UNC Greensboro’s Kelvin Hernandez fired a course-record 65 to win medalist honors at Solina Golf Club,

The Mocs completed a dominant run, leading each round, and outpaced hard-charging Furman and Mercer by eight strokes to win its seventh Southern Conference team championship in men’s golf and the league’s automatic berth to the 2026 NCAA Men’s Golf Championship. Consistent play from Evan Rogers, who was the lone golfer in the field to finish under par in each of the three rounds, and the rest of the Mocs’ lineup kept the lead all day. Chattanooga had 15 birdies and two eagles on Wednesday.

Rogers shot 68-70-69 for the tournament, carding 12 birdies and an eagle to finish third individually. Cam Braidech (66-74-73) and Ward Harris (71-73-69) tied for fifth in the final standings.

Hernandez, who was the SoCon’s Golfer of the Week twice in February, lived up to his billing all week – and was terrific on Wednesday. The Caguas, Puerto Rico, native sank five birdie putts, one eagle putt, and played par golf on 11 holes for his course record – nipping the previous mark of 66 tied several times during this tournament.

Hernandez earned an individual bid to the NCAA Championship, edging Mercer’s Henry Robards by one stroke. Robards shot back-to-back rounds of 66 to pull into contention. Rogers finished two strokes out of the lead with his steady performance. Furman’s Harris Barth finished fourth, followed by a four-way tie for fifth between the Chattanooga duo of Braidech and Harris, Western Carolina’s Tyler Jones and Jace Butcher.

Wednesday’s start was delayed until 10:30 am due to early morning rain in the area.

Teams

POS	Team	Total	To Par	RD 1	To Par	RD 2	To Par	RD 3	To Par
1	Chattanooga	847	-5	275	-9	290	+6	282	-2
2	Furman	855	+3	285	+1	291	+7	279	-5
3	Mercer	857	+5	288	+4	290	+6	279	-5
4	UNCG	861	+9	289	+5	290	+6	282	-2
5	East Tennessee State	867	+15	282	-2	299	+15	286	+2
6	Western Carolina	868	+16	280	-4	297	+13	291	+7
7	Wofford	879	+27	294	+10	292	+8	293	+9
8	Samford	884	+32	283	-1	305	+21	296	+12

Top 40 Players

POS	Player	Team	Total	To Par	RD 1	To Par	RD 2	To Par	RD 3	To Par
1	Kelvin Hernandez	UNCG	204	-9	67	-4	72	+1	65	-6
2	Henry Robards	Mercer	205	-8	73	+2	66	-5	66	-5
3	Evan Rogers	Chattanooga	207	-6	68	-3	70	-1	69	-2
4	Harris Barth	Furman	212	-1	74	+3	71	E	67	-4
T5	Camden Braidech	Chattanooga	213	E	66	-5	74	+3	73	+2
T5	Jace Butcher	Western Carolina	213	E	68	-3	75	+4	70	-1
T5	Tyler Jones	Western Carolina	213	E	72	+1	69	-2	72	+1
T5	Ward Harris	Chattanooga	213	E	71	E	73	+2	69	-2
9	Dax Isbell	UNCG	214	+1	73	+2	72	+1	69	-2
T10	Yannick Malik	East Tennessee State	215	+2	71	E	71	E	73	+2
T10	Gavin Isbell	Samford	215	+2	68	-3	73	+2	74	+3
T12	Ben Jordan	Wofford	216	+3	68	-3	74	+3	74	+3
T12	Gavin Tiernan	East Tennessee State	216	+3	70	-1	75	+4	71	E
T12	Clark Akers	Furman	216	+3	70	-1	75	+4	71	E
T15	Jake Lewis	UNCG	217	+4	72	+1	72	+1	73	+2
T15	Nathan Trodd	Mercer	217	+4	66	-5	71	E	80	+9
T15	Ethan Whitaker	Chattanooga	217	+4	70	-1	76	+5	71	E
18	Veigar Heidarsson	East Tennessee State	218	+5	73	+2	76	+5	69	-2
T19	Richard Saunders	East Tennessee State	219	+6	69	-2	77	+6	73	+2
T19	Ludvig Josefsson	Furman	219	+6	70	-1	78	+7	71	E
T21	Campbell Sciortino	Samford	220	+7	68	-3	77	+6	75	+4
T21	Zach Frazer	Furman	220	+7	77	+6	73	+2	70	-1
T21	Andrew Korytoski	Western Carolina	220	+7	69	-2	80	+9	71	E
T24	Will Brown	Wofford	221	+8	73	+2	76	+5	72	+1
T24	Griffin Law	Chattanooga	221	+8	74	+3	73	+2	74	+3
T24	Will Jones	Wofford	221	+8	76	+5	70	-1	75	+4
T27	Cole Hanson	Mercer	222	+9	72	+1	80	+9	70	-1
T27	David Oliver IV	Furman	222	+9	71	E	72	+1	79	+8
29	Ivan Ninkovic	Western Carolina	223	+10	71	E	74	+3	78	+7
30	Oliver Blackadder	East Tennessee State	224	+11	72	+1	77	+6	75	+4
T31	Andrew Neal	Wofford	225	+12	77	+6	74	+3	74	+3
T31	Glover Amick	Wofford	225	+12	78	+7	74	+3	73	+2
T33	BJ Boyce	UNCG	226	+13	77	+6	74	+3	75	+4
T33	JoseMaria Gutierrez Gonzales	Mercer	226	+13	77	+6	75	+4	74	+3
T33	Phillips Swift	Mercer	226	+13	79	+8	78	+7	69	-2
36	Blake Gayles	Samford	227	+14	72	+1	74	+3	81	+10
37	Jack Mikesell	Samford	229	+16	75	+4	82	+11	72	+1
38	Josh Lendach	Western Carolina	243	+30	80	+9	79	+8	84	+13
39	Will Guidry	UNCG	80	N/A	80	+9	0	N/A
40	Liam Percy	UNCG	154	N/A	0	N/A	76	+5	78	+7

Furman Will Travel To NCAA Chapel Hill Regional

The Southern Conference — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SoCon announces Outdoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week

Unknown — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Furman’s Bryn Woodall and Sierra Bower have been named this week’s Southern Conference Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track Athletes of the Week, respectively. Samford’s Arthur Chitty and Dorsey Parker have been selected as the Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Field Athletes of the Week, the conference office announced Wednesday.

Woodall ran a league‑leading 3:39.91 in the 1,500m at the Charlotte Invitational on April 24. The Furman senior’s mark ranks 26th in the NCAA East Region.

Bower topped the podium in the 5,000m at the Charlotte Invitational with a time of 16:33.99, a mark that ranks second in the conference by just over one second.

On April 24, Chitty cleared a season‑best 2.12m in the high jump at the Josh Reidinger Invite, which is a height that leads the conference and ranks 29th in the NCAA East Region.

Parker recorded a personal‑best 1.74m in the high jump at the Josh Reidinger Invite, establishing a new conference high in the event.

Looking ahead to this weekend, Furman is set to compete at the Duke Twilight in Durham, North Carolina, on Sunday, while Samford heads to the Mississippi State Invitational on Friday.

Also nominated: Bradley Franklin, Samford – Men's Track, Painter Richards-Baker, WCU – Men's Track, Anthony Hawkins, WCU – Men's Track, Aaliyah Mbenda, Samford – Women's Track, Shaniya Shirley, WCU – Women's Track

2025-26 Southern Conference Outdoor Track and Field Athletes of the Week

March 18	Men’s Track – Trevor Williams, WCU Men’s Field – Austin Cline, WCU Women’s Track – Shaneil Lysight, WCU Women’s Field – Ellison Chadwick, Samford
March 25	Men’s Track – Trevor Williams, WCU Men’s Field – Austin Cline, WCU Women’s Track – Naturale Faison, VMI Women’s Field – Sadler Miller, WCU
April 1	Men's Track - Albert Velikonja, Furman Men's Field - Bryce Davis, Samford Women's Track - Aaliyah Mbenda, Samford Women's Field - JT Shaw, Samford
April 8	Men's Track - Christian Roberts, WCU Men's Field - Austin Cline, WCU Women's Track - Taylor Jennings-Ward, Wofford Women's Field - Toria Roundtree, WCU
April 15	Men’s Track – Bradley Franklin, Samford Men’s Field – Bryce Davis, Samford Women’s Track – Annie Miller, Furman Women’s Field – Lindsey Havens, Samford
April 22	Men’s Track – Bradley Franklin, Samford Men’s Field – Bryce Davis, Samford Women’s Track – Micailah Cook, ETSU Women’s Field – JT Shaw, Samford
April 29	Men’s Track – Bryn Woodall, Furman Men’s Field – Arthur Chitty, Samford Women’s Track – Sierra Bower, Furman Women’s Field – Dorsey Parker, Samford

Chattanooga Extends Lead on Day Two at Solina Golf Club

Unknown — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

WEST COLUMBIA, SC – Chattanooga extended its lead to 11 strokes on Tuesday at the 2026 SoCon Men’s Golf Championship and enters the final day with a strong chance at its first team title since 2013.

Mercer’s Nathan Trodd shot even par Tuesday to ease into sole possession of the individual lead, with teammate Henry Robards carding a low round of 66 – tying the course record – to move into a tie for third. Chattanooga’s Evan Rogers sits in second place heading into Wednesday’s final round at 4-under par, just on stroke back of the lead. UNC Greensboro’s Kelvin Hernandez is two strokes back in a tie with Robards in third place.

Furman moved into second place with a seven-stroke improvement from the first round, with Western Carolina just one shot behind in third. Mercer (+10), UNC Greensboro (+11), ETSU (+13), Wofford (+18), and Samford (+20) rounded out the field.

After an opening round that saw 14 different golfers finish under par, Tuesday’s round saw only four men under par – Rogers (70), Wofford’s Will Jones (70), Western Carolina ace Tyler Jones (69), and Robards (66). Rogers is the lone golfer in the field to finish under par in both rounds.

The second round was halted early by lightning in the area, resulting in a 51-minute delay. Once the teams made their way back onto the course, play resumed under mostly cloudy, and slightly windy conditions with spotty showers into the late morning.

The expectation of poor weather early Wednesday morning resulted in an adjustment to tee times, with a 10:30 start on tap.

Teams

Pos.	Team	Total	To Par	RD 1	RD 2
1	Chattanooga	565	-3	275 (-9)	290 (+6)
2	Furman	576	+8	285 (+1)	291 (+7)
3	Western Carolina	577	+9	280 (-4)	297 (+13)
4	Mercer	578	+10	288 (+4)	290 (+6)
5	UNCG	579	+11	289 (+5)	290 (+6)
6	East Tennessee State	581	+13	282 (-2)	299 (+15)
7	Wofford	586	+18	294 (+10)	292 (+8)
8	Samford	588	+20	283 (-1)	305 (+21)

Top 20 Players

Pos.	Player	Team	Total	To Par	RD 1	RD 2
1	Nathan Trodd	Mercer	137	-5	66 (-5)	71 (E)
2	Evan Rogers	Chattanooga	138	-4	68 (-3)	70 (-1)
T3	Kelvin Hernandez	UNCG	139	-3	67 (-4)	72 (+1)
T3	Henry Robards	Mercer	139	-3	73 (+2)	66 (-5)
5	Camden Braidech	Chattanooga	140	-2	66 (-5)	74 (+3)
T6	Tyler Jones	Western Carolina	141	-1	72 (+1)	69 (-2)
T6	Gavin Isbell	Samford	141	-1	68 (-3)	73 (+2)
T8	Ben Jordan	Wofford	142	E	68 (-3)	74 (+3)
T8	Yannick Malik	East Tennessee State	142	E	71 (E)	71 (E)
T10	David Oliver IV	Furman	143	+1	71 (E)	72 (+1)
T10	Jace Butcher	Western Carolina	143	+1	68 (-3)	75 (+4)
T12	Ward Harris	Chattanooga	144	+2	71 (E)	73 (+2)
T12	Jake Lewis	UNCG	144	+2	72 (+1)	72 (+1)
T14	Ivan Ninkovic	Western Carolina	145	+3	71 (E)	74 (+3)
T14	Campbell Sciortino	Samford	145	+3	68 (-3)	77 (+6)
T14	Clark Akers	Furman	145	+3	70 (-1)	75 (+4)
T14	Harris Barth	Furman	145	+3	74 (+3)	71 (E)
T14	Dax Isbell	UNCG	145	+3	73 (+2)	72 (+1)
T14	Gavin Tiernan	East Tennessee State	145	+3	70 (-1)	75 (+4)
T20	Ethan Whitaker	Chattanooga	146	+4	70 (-1)	76 (+5)
T20	Will Jones	Wofford	146	+4	76 (+5)	70 (-1)
T20	Blake Gayles	Samford	146	+4	72 (+1)	74 (+3)
T20	Richard Saunders	East Tennessee State	146	+4	69 (-2)	77 (+6)

undefined News

No title

No title

No title

No title

No title

No title

No title

No title

No title

No title

No title

No title

No title

No title

No title

2026 All-SoCon Baseball Teams Announced

Western Carolina's Jones Third After First Round of NCAA Men's Golf Regional

Chattanooga Off to Good Start at NCAA Men's Golf Regionals

UNC Greensboro's Hernandez Begins NCAA Regionals at Bermuda Run

SoCon Announces Weekly Baseball Awards

Mercer Women's Golf Finishes Fourth At National Golf Invitational

2026 SoCon Baseball Championship Bracket Set

FIRST NCAA WIN! UNCG Shuts Out Clemson, 1-0

SoCon announces Outdoor Track & Field Specialty Awards

Furman's Hasselbach Ties For 21st At NCAA Chapel Hill Regional

Samford men continue championship reign, Western Carolina women add to Catamounts history

Furman's Hasselbach Tied For 32nd Entering Final Round Of NCAA Chapel Hill Regional

Samford Bulldogs take Day one lead at Outdoor Track & Field Championships

Hasselbach Leads Furman In Opening Round Of NCAA Chapel Hill Regional

SoCon Announces Weekly Baseball Awards

UNCG: NCAA TICKET PUNCHED! Softball Shuts Out Samford for SoCon Title

Outdoor Track and Field championships to be held in Cullowhee, North Carolina

UNCG wins the SoCon Softball Championship

Top two seeds set to face off in the SoCon Softball Championship

Day two of SoCon Softball Championships in the books

Day one of SoCon Softball Championships in the books

SoCon announces Outdoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week

Softball Championship Schedule Update

Softball Championship Schedule Update

All-SoCon softball teams announced

Men's Golf All-SoCon Postseason Honors Announced

SoCon Announces Final Softball Weekly Awards

SoCon Announces Baseball Weekly Awards for May 4

SoCon Softball Championship bracket set

2026 Baseball Championship presented by Holston Gases

2026 Baseball Championship presented by Holston GasesMay 20-23 Fluor Field Greenville, S.C.

Day 1 // Wednesday, May 20

Day 2 // Thursday, May 21

Day 3 // Friday, May 22

Day 4 // Saturday, May 23

Championship Information

SoCon Baseball Title Game to Air on ESPNU

Chattanooga Finishes 2026 SoCon Title Chase at Solina Golf Club

Teams

Top 40 Players

Furman Will Travel To NCAA Chapel Hill Regional

SoCon announces Outdoor Track & Field Athletes of the Week

Chattanooga Extends Lead on Day Two at Solina Golf Club

Teams

Top 20 Players

2026 Baseball Championship presented by Holston Gases
May 20-23 Fluor Field Greenville, S.C.