SoCon Softball Player, Pitcher of the Week announced

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Samford infielder Olivia Shaw and Chattanooga right-hander Peja Goold have been named the Southern Conference softball player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for their efforts from April 14-20. The awards are selected by the league office.

Shaw, who is the fourth straight Bulldog to receive the weekly honor, hit .545 during the team’s series win versus Furman over the weekend. The sophomore opened the series with a pair of doubles, two runs and one RBI in a 5-1 win on April 18. Later that day, Shaw had two more doubles and runs scored, along with two RBIs as Samford defeated Furman, 6-5, in game two of the two squads’ doubleheader. On April 19, the native of Hoschton, Georgia, went 2-for-4 with a double and a RBI in a 6-1 setback against the Paladins. Shaw currently leads the SoCon and the NCAA in doubles with 20.

Goold, who also won the honor on March 10, threw three complete games, including two shutouts, last week for the Mocs. The product of Stockton, California, began her week with an eight-strikeout performance in a 4-0 win over Tennessee State on April 16. Two days later, Goold struck out another eight batters and allowed one run in a 3-1 win at Wofford. In the series finale against the Terriers on April 19, the junior had eight strikeouts and gave up just one hit as the Mocs won the rubber match of the series, 9-0. Goold leads the SoCon in strikeouts with 190, which is ninth nationally.

Samford (30-18, 11-4 SoCon) travels to Chattanooga (33-12, 10-4) for a weekend series beginning on April 26. The Mocs will travel to Kennesaw State on April 23.

Other nominees for player of the week: Hannah Rivers (Mercer), Olivia Lipari (Chattanooga) and Brianna Stanley (Wofford)
 
Other nominees for pitcher of the week: Grace Taylor (Mercer) and Jorde Chartrand (UNCG)

 
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

April 7                                     Grier Bruce, Sr., INF, Samford

April 14                                   Katie Campbell, So., INF, Samford

April 21                                   Olivia Shaw, So., 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

April 7                                     Jordyn Partain, Sr., Samford

April 14                                   Abby Greenwood, So., Wofford

April 21                                   Peja Goold, Jr., Chattanooga