SoCon Softball Player, Pitcher of the Week announced

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Western Carolina infielder Lily Bell and Chattanooga right-hander Peja Goold have been named the Southern Conference softball player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for their efforts from March 3-9. The awards are selected by the league office.

Western Carolina’s Bell hit .524 over seven games for the Catamounts last week. On March 4 in a doubleheader with Presbyterian, the sophomore had four hits, including two doubles, a RBI, a stolen base and a run scored. Three days later, Bell went 2-for-3 with a double in a 3-1 win over Boston, and walked and scored a run in a 4-1 victory at Winthrop. The native of Woodstock, Georgia, set a school record for steals in a game, swiping four bases against Norfolk State on March 8, as Western Carolina won 8-5. Later that day, she had two hits, including a double, a walk, a steal and a run scored as the Catamounts defeated Boston 7-2. Bell, who has reached base in 18 straight games, finished her weekend with a hit, a walk and a stolen base versus Winthrop on March 9.

Chattanooga’s Goold had four appearances inside the circle, logging two complete-game wins and a save. The junior began her week with a relief outing in a 9-1 win at Georgia State, throwing two innings and striking out one batter. Goold’s first complete game of the week came in an 8-1 victory over Siena on March 7, where she struck out eight batters and allowed one run. The Stockton, California, product threw her second complete game of the week the next day, striking out five batters as the Mocs defeated Central Michigan 3-1. Goold completed her week with her first save of the season in a 8-7 win over LIU in eight innings on March 9, striking out all three batters she faced.  

Western Carolina (12-11) hosts North Carolina Central for a doubleheader on March 11. Chattanooga (18-8) will be back in action on March 18 against Kennesaw State.

Other nominees for player of the week: Hope Marshburn (Furman), Hallie Langford (Mercer), Kaylyn Belfield (UNCG) and Presley Williamson (Chattanooga)
 
Other nominees for pitcher of the week: Angelina Ricciardi (Furman), Hannah Pitts (Mercer) and Amanda Fulton (Western Carolina)

 
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 3                                   Lily Bell, So., INF, Western Carolina

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