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 138â…” 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
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University of South Carolina Aiken Baseball Team Triumphs
USC Aiken Softball Players Achieve All-Conference Honors
USCA Baseball Team Dominates USC Beaufort with 12-3 Win
USC Aiken Pacers Suffer Defeat Against North Georgia
Community Rallies After USCA Baseball Team Setback
Lakyn Phillips Named PBC Pitcher of the Week
USCA Baseball Team Dominates Augusta in 7-2 Victory
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
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
