SoCon Softball Player, Pitcher of the Week announced

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford infielder Ella Nelson and Chattanooga right-hander Taylor Long have been named the Southern Conference softball player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for their efforts from March 24-30. The awards are selected by the league office.

Nelson led Samford to a series sweep over Western Carolina last weekend. On March 28, the freshman had a double and a run scored in the Bulldogs’ 14-0 win in game one of the squad’s doubleheader with the Catamounts. In game two, Nelson went 3-for-4 with three home runs and eight RBIs as Samford won 14-4. In the series finale on March 29, the native of Jay, Florida, had two walks and a run scored in a 16-2 victory.

Chattanooga’s Long recorded two complete-game shutouts with a 0.00 ERA last week. The junior had eight strikeouts, while giving up just one hit in a 1-0 win at Tennessee Tech on March 25. Four days later, the product of Calhoun, Georgia, logged 11 strikeouts during the team’s 6-0 victory against Mercer.

Samford (23-14, SoCon) plays at Alabama on April 1, before welcoming ETSU (13-22, 2-4) for a weekend series on April 5-6. Chattanooga (24-9, 4-1) hosts Jacksonville State on April 2, and Western Carolina (18-18, 2-4) on April 5-6.

Other nominees for player of the week: Kaylyn Belfield (UNCG), Lexi Cooley (Chattanooga) and Hope Ingle (Wofford)
 
Other nominees for pitcher of the week: Marissa Barnes (ETSU), Emme Buzhardt (Furman), Salem Ward (UNCG), Jordyn Partain (Samford) and Natalya Salo (Wofford)

 
2025 SoCon Softball Players of the Week
Feb. 10                                   Acelynn Sellers, Sr., INF, Chattanooga

Feb. 17                                   Kate Platte, R-So., INF, Wofford

Feb. 24                                   Hallie Langford, Jr., OF, Mercer

March 3                                   Maya McPherson, So., INF, Western Carolina

March 10                                 Lily Bell, So., INF, Western Carolina

March 17                                 Hadley Gardner, Fr., OF, UNCG

March 24                                 Hallie Langford, Jr., OF, Mercer

March 31                                 Ella Nelson, Fr., INF, Samford

2025 SoCon Softball Pitchers of the Week
Feb. 10                                   Margaret Axelson, Jr., Wofford

Feb. 17                                   Salem Ward, Jr., UNCG

Feb. 24                                   Natalya Salo, Fr., Wofford

March 3                                   Olivia Trout, Jr., Samford

March 10                                 Peja Goold, Jr., Chattanooga

March 17                                 Jorde Chartrand, Sr., UNCG

March 24                                 Tessa Juett, Sr., Western Carolina

March 31                                 Taylor Long, Jr., Chattanooga