Martin & Tierce Earn All-Region Honors

Martin & Tierce Earn All-Region Honors

AMERICUS, Ga. - Georgia Southwestern State University softball players Joshlyn Martin and Hayley Tierce were recently named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) 2017 All-Southeast Region second team.

Martin, a sophomore from Fountain Inn, S.C., started all 54 games this spring for the Lady Hurricanes and led the team in several categories, including batting average (.418), hits (66) and doubles (13). In 186 total plate appearances, she was struck out only twice. Defensively, the first baseman did not commit an error all season.

Martin became the first Lady Hurricane to be named to the All-Peach Belt Conference first team in multiple years after being selected in 2017. She finished the regular season ranked third in the PBC in batting average, sixth in hits and seventh in RBIs.

Tierce, a sophomore from Warner Robins, Ga., started 53 games this season and led the Lady Hurricanes in home runs (12), doubles (13), slugging percentage (.679) and runs batted in (51). Tied for the all-time career home run lead at GSW, Tierce was walked multiple times in six games this spring and turned in 15 multi-hit performances. She also pitched in four games to record a 2-1 record and 3.41 ERA with nine strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings of work.

Tierce finished the regular season atop the PBC in RBIs and was fourth in home runs. She was named to the Peach Belt All-Conference second team for the second consecutive year.

The entire 2017 All-Southeast Region team is listed below.

NFCA ALL-SOUTHEAST REGION

First Team

Pos.
Name School
Pitcher Kylee Smith University of North Georgia
Pitcher Ally Marcano Flagler College
Catcher Sarah Kenley Lenoir-Rhyne University
First Base Faith Flanders Georgia College
Second Base Natalie Willis Newberry College
Third Base Jamie Johnson University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Shortstop Sydney Sprague University of North Georgia
Outfield Stephanie Hartness University of North Georgia
Outfield Erin Boone Lenoir-Rhyne University
Outfield Kelsey Vining University of Montevallo
Designated Player Haley Simonds Newberry College
Utility-Pitcher Lacie Rinus Carson-Newman University
Utility-Non-Pitcher Alex Watkins University of North Carolina at Pembroke
     

Second Team 

Pos. Name School
Pitcher Brandi Parks Lenoir-Rhyne University
Catcher Logan Harrell Armstrong State University
First Base Joshlyn Martin Georgia Southwestern State University
Second Base Abby Fiessinger Carson-Newman University
Third Base Makenzie Pennell Pfeiffer University
Shortstop Hayley Tierce Georgia Southwestern State University
Outfield Caroline Hill Limestone College
Outfield Hannah Riddle King University
Outfield Kaycee Casteel King University
Designated Player Alishia Frierson University of North Georgia
Utility-Pitcher Jane Trzaska Armstrong State University
Utility-Non-Pitcher Elizabeth Perdue Columbus State University