News Summary
Four USC Aiken softball players have been honored in the Peach Belt Conference with Kate Newberry and Lakyn Phillips making the first team, while Autumn Fisher and Peri Rouillard earned second-team recognition. Newberry has been a standout hitter, while Phillips has excelled as a pitcher, contributing significantly to the team’s performance this season. The article also highlights local high school playoff successes and weather forecasts impacting upcoming games.
USC Aiken, South Carolina – Four USC Aiken softball players have been recognized for their outstanding performances this season by earning All-Conference honors in the Peach Belt Conference. Kate Newberry and Lakyn Phillips received first-team accolades, while Autumn Fisher and Peri Rouillard secured spots on the second team.
Newberry, a standout from Watkinsville, GA, has emerged as the team’s offensive powerhouse, leading with 10 home runs, 42 RBIs, and an impressive .673 slugging percentage. She has accumulated 101 total bases and drawn 18 walks, resulting in an on-base plus slugging (OPS) of 1.116. Newberry has showcased her batting skills with 14 multi-hit games this season.
Lakyn Phillips, hailing from Lexington, has been a dominant force on the mound with a 2.57 ERA and 16 victories to her name. She has recorded 154 strikeouts while maintaining a low .239 opposing batting average. Phillips has pitched 138⅔ innings and holds the school record for career saves, ranking in the top five for multiple pitching categories at USC Aiken.
On the offensive side, Autumn Fisher from Inman has maintained a solid batting average of .352, with a total of 50 hits including 11 doubles, three triples, and five home runs. Fisher also leads the team with 15 stolen bases, showcasing her speed and agility on the base paths.
Peri Rouillard, another talented player from Lexington, has posted an outstanding .405 batting average which includes 47 hits, six triples, and 33 runs scored. Rouillard’s offensive contribution is highlighted by her .586 slugging percentage, making her a key asset in the lineup.
Weather conditions could pose challenges for sporting events this week, as scattered thunderstorms are forecasted with a predicted high of 85°F and a 60% chance of rain. Gusty winds and small hail may accompany the storms, with temperatures dropping to a low of 69°F and a 30% chance of rain overnight.
In high school softball, the North Augusta High School team celebrated a thrilling 6-5 walk-off victory against South Aiken in the Class AAAA playoffs. Freshman Keely Thatcher set the stage by leading off the bottom of the seventh inning with a double. Following a sacrifice bunt from Kaitlyn Mixon, senior Savannah Allen finished the game with a double that brought Thatcher home, resulting in a joyful celebration among teammates.
The pitching duo of Lia Allen and Eleanor Brummond played a crucial role in North Augusta’s success. Allen allowed four runs on five hits, while Brummond recorded four strikeouts in relief, helping to secure the victory.
Meanwhile, the Midland Valley softball team triumphed over Easley with a 5-0 win in a Class AAAA elimination game, allowing them to continue their postseason journey. Pitcher Karley Bedenbaugh displayed an impressive performance, throwing five innings while allowing just one hit and striking out seven. Larue Hicks followed with two perfect innings of relief to preserve the shutout.
Midland Valley took an aggressive approach at the plate, scoring four runs in the first two innings, highlighted by Bailey Seabolt’s 4-for-4 performance. As they prepare for a potential elimination game against Airport, the squad remains focused and ready to face the upcoming challenges, despite the risk of weather-related schedule changes.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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University of South Carolina Aiken Baseball Team Triumphs
USC Aiken Softball Players Achieve All-Conference Honors
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: North Augusta Softball Walkoff Win
- Wikipedia: Softball
- WFXG: USC Aiken Softball Facility
- Google Search: USC Aiken softball
- Post and Courier: Midland Valley Softball Win
- Google Scholar: Softball Pitching
- Post and Courier: NAHS Groundbreaking for Baseball & Softball
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Softball
- Post and Courier: Aiken Offering Sports for Adults
- Google News: Softball