BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of West Alabama placed four players on the the Gulf South Conference Softball All-Conference Team, announced by the league office on Wednesday.
Junior Kelli Hartley highlights the UWA foursome as she becomes just the fifth player all time at UWA to be named all conference three-straight years. Junior second baseman Stephanie Beahn joined Hartley on the First Team, while outfielder Lindsey Skinner and designated player Lauren Mills were tabbed to the Second Team. Mills, a two-year member of the Red and White, earned Second Team status last season.
Hartley claimed Second Team honors as a freshman and a member of the First Team in 2009. The Northport, Ala.-shortstop becomes the first UWA since Zayne Smith in 2002 to earn three-straight all conference awards. Former Tiger Bobbie Jo Carter (1989-92) is the lone player in the program’s history to be named all conference in four consecutive seasons.
Hartley posted a .299 average at the plate after collecting 55 hits and driving in a team-best 41 runs as a junior. With her 41 RBI, Hartley moved to the top of UWA’s all-time RBI career list with 158. She posted five home runs on the season which moved her to second on the program’s career home run list with 33.
Beahn, a transfer from Faulkner State Community College, was a mainstay at second base for UWA and ranked second on the team in batting with a .335 average. In her first season at UWA, the Saraland, Ala.-product tallied 57 hits, including 16 extra base hits. Beahn ranked second in on base percentage (.403) and third in runs scored with 40. She fielded at a .936 clip and registered 103 put outs. Beahn turned in 17 multiple hit games along with 23 sacrifice bunts, which ranks second in the conference.
Skinner finished her first season in Livingston just shy of .300 at the dish, but ranked fourth on the team in average (.297). The Vestavia Hills, Ala-outfielder started 48 games and accounted for 38 hits on the season. She led UWA in on base percentage with a .408 mark. Skinner reached base seven times after being hit by a pitch, which ranked second on the club. Skinner cared ten multiple hit contests and five multiple RBI affairs.
Mills concluded her stint at UWA with a .278 clip, but reached base 21 times via either a walk or hit by pitch. The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan-senior was plunked a team-high 11 times and only had 12 strike outs on the season. Mills belted three home runs on the season to give her 15 in her two-year career.
UAH’s Les Stuedeman claimed GSC East Division Coach of the Year for the third-straight year after guiding the Chargers to the GSC East crown. Valdosta State swept all three Player of the Year winners. Alyssa Shirey was named GSC East Player of the Year, while teammates Holly Satterfield and Morgan Johnson were tabbed Pitcher of the Year and Freshman of the Year.