FLORENCE, S.C. - Georgia Southwestern senior Nichole Griffin was named to the 2011 Peach Belt Conference softball All-Conference first team on Thursday evening at the annual PBC Softball Championship banquet.
Griffin led the Lady Hurricanes in most offensive categories this spring, including: batting average (.368), runs (30), hits (56), triples (4), total bases (81), slugging percentage (.533), and on-base percentage (.451).
While she ranked in the Top 10 of the PBC in several of the categories above for overall statistics, Griffin's numbers were even higher in conference play. She finished second in on-base percentage, third in walks, fourth in batting average and fourth in hits.
The Leesburg, Ga., native started and played in 48 of GSW's 50 games. She started 29 games in center field, 18 at shortstop and one game as the designated player.
Armstrong Atlantic's April Jowers was named the PBC Player of the Year while North Georgia's Jessica Cohn was the Pitcher of the Year. USC Aiken pitcher India Kornegay was the Freshman of the Year while North Georgia's Mike Davenport was named the PBC Coach of the Year.
The 2010 All-Conference team is listed below as selected by the league's head coaches. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.
2011 Peach Belt Conference Softball All-Conference Team
First Team
1b – Katherine Martin, North Georgia
2b – April Jowers, Armstrong Atlantic State
3b – Hilary Cox, North Georgia
SS – Kasey Knight, North Georgia
C – Ashley Buckett, Armstrong Atlantic State
OF – Shelby Duff, Armstrong Atlantic State
OF – Destinea Schneider, Francis Marion
OF – Nichole Griffin, Georgia Southwestern
P – Jessica Coan, North Georgia
P – Sarah Phillips, North Georgia
DP – Haley Burnett, Georgia College
UT – Kristen Jones, Augusta State
At Large – Kara Gordon, Columbus State
At Large – Brittany Sheriff, Lander
At Large – Jessica Thornton, Augusta State
At Large – Morgan Staffins, Columbus State
Second Team
1b – Breezy Collings, Flagler
2b – Alona Personius, Flagler
3b – Baillie Temples, Armstrong Atlantic State
SS – Kacee Camp, Augusta State
C – Anna Parker, Georgia College
OF – Whitney Okvist, Georgia College
OF – Ansley Williams, North Georgia
OF – Pilar Harden, North Georgia
OF – Destiny Echols, Augusta State
P – Megan Barnwell, Armstrong Atlantic State
P – India Kornegay, USC Aiken
DP – Keela Scott, Armstrong Atlantic State
UT – Holly Berry, UNC Pembroke
At Large – Kelly Riddick, Flagler
At Large – Tori Jolley, Flagler
At Large – Lauren Bessent, Flagler
At Large – Hayley Leissner, Lander
At Large – Ashley Jaramillo, Francis Marion
Player of the Year
April Jowers, Armstrong Atlantic State
Pitcher of the Year
Jessica Coan, North Georgia
Freshman of the Year
India Kornegay, USC Aiken
Coach of the Year
Mike Davenport, North Georgia