Rocky Mount, N.C. - The USA South has released it 2017 All-Conference awards in softball with a trio of Battling Bishops earning recognition. Junior Alicia Burns and sophomore Shelby Godwin were each named to the East Division's Second Team, while senior Abigail Leonard was named to the league's All-Sportsmanship Team.
A Goldsboro, N.C. native, Burns picks up the first All-Conference nod of her career at first base after leading the Bishops in batting average (.364), hits (36), doubles (9), and sac-bunts (4). In the field, Burns was equally as impressive, boasting a solid .991 fielding percentage with just two errors in 214 chances.
Like Burns, Godwin also earns the first All-Conference honor of her career in the circle. The Nashville, N.C. native posted a 7-3 record and 2.37 ERA in 11 conference appearances this spring. Her seven wins tied for third in the East Division, while her 4.44 strikeouts per seven innings ranked second.
Leonard, who hails from Tabor City, N.C., picks up her fourth consecutive All-Sportsmanship award.
Elsewhere around the league, Averett University's Jessica Long collected Player of the Year accolades, while her teammate, Kaitlyn Aherron was named Rookie of the Year. Piedmont College's Melissa Eckman earned Pitcher of the Year, and Salem College's Sydney Vaughn was named Rookie Pitcher of the Year. Rounding out the individual awards was Meredith College's Kim Scavone who earned Coach of the Year honors.
To view the entire 2017 All-Conference honorees in softball, please visit www.usasouth.net.