May 7, 2008

Mt. Pleasant, S.C. -- Furman first baseman Brythe Blankenship was named second team All-Southern Conference, it was announced Wednesday evening at the league's annual softball awards banquet in Charleston, S.C.

The sophomore is batting .284 this season with a team-leading 27 RBI in 53 games. The Raleigh, N.C., native has notched four doubles, tied for the team lead with four home runs and fielded at a .989 clip over 352 attempts this season.

Blankenship, who successfully made the move to first base after playing the majority of her freshman season at second base, leads the Paladins with eight multi-RBI games and 10 multi-hit games.

Furman (21-32) returns to action Thursday facing Appalachian State in a noon elimination game at the Southern Conference Championship at Patriots Point.

Fans can follow all the tournament action at www.soconsports.com or by clicking on the "livestats" link on the Furman softball schedule page.

2008 SoCon Awards

Player of the Year - Robyne Siliga, Georgia Southern

Pitcher of the Year - Brooke Loudermilk, Chattanooga

Freshman of the Year - Michelle Fuzzard, Chattanooga

Coach of the Year - Frank Reed, Chattanooga

 All-Conference Teams

First Team

P      Brooke Loudermilk, Chattanooga

P      Melissa Laliberte, Georgia Southern

C      Katie Boyd, Appalachian State

1B    Michelle Fuzzard, Chattanooga

2B    Nina Iduate, Georgia Southern

SS    Tracey Dahlen, Elon

        Tara Tembey, Chattanooga

3B    Robyne Siliga, Georgia Southern

OF    Mary Greenway, UNC Greensboro

OF    Laci Upchurch, Chattanooga

OF    Lindsey Hopkins, Georgia Southern

DP    Shannon Howard, College of Charleston

UT    Jamie Swank, Western Carolina

 

Second Team

P      Shannon Howard, College of Charleston

P      Megen Smith, Georgia Southern

C      Jenny Side, Georgia Southern

1B    Brythe Blankenship, Furman

2B    Jackie Gonzalez, Elon

        Brittany Gaston, Appalachian State

SS    Amanda Hall, Georgia Southern

3B    Kristie Shifflett, College of Charleston

OF    Tiffany Harmon, College of Charleston

OF    Lyndsey Stiles, Chattanooga

OF    Michelle Beasley, Georgia Southern

DP    Melanie Helterbran, Elon

UT    Katie Nutaitis, College of Charleston