ARKADELPHIA- After setting a program-best season with a 36-22 record, Ouachita Baptist placed two players on the 2010 All-Gulf South Conference West Division Softball Team in senior Haley Chambers and junior Kristen Rigsbee, while freshman Megan Askew was named the 2010 West Division Freshman of the Year, conference officials announced on Wednesday. Junior Sarah Bell added All-GSC Second Team honors for the Lady Tigers who also recorded their second-straight trip to the GSC Tournament.
Chambers finished the regular season first in the GSC in RBIs, second in batting average, total bases and hits, while ranking third in slugging percentage and doubles. The Booneville native enters the GSC Tournament with a team-high .433 average with 13 home runs and 69 RBI, including 19 doubles on 78 hits.
Rigsbee was honored to the All-GSC squad as both a pitcher and designated player, as the junior recorded a .391 average with 11 doubles and 13 home runs on 66 hits, including 45 RBI. On the mound, Rigsbee earned a 19-9 record, with a 2.59 ERA with 201 strikeouts in 183.2 innings of work. The Frisco, Texas native finished third at the plate in the GSC in runs scored, while on the mound ranking third in strikeouts and fourth in innings pitched and wins.
Askew earns the GSC Freshman of the Year honor after finishing second in the conference in runs scored with 50, and recording a .350 average with 10 doubles and five home runs on 62 hits from the leadoff position. Askew also recorded a .437 on-base percentage and is 8-f0r-8 on stolen base attempts during her inaugural collegiate campaign.
Joining the three honorees was Bell who earned All-GSC Second Team honors at second base. The Forney, Texas junior is currently second on the team in batting average at .403 and is tied for the team lead with 13 home runs and 12 doubles on 64 hits. Bell has also recorded 41 RBI in the cleanup spot for the Lady Tigers.
Ouachita Baptist will travel to Southaven, Miss. for the 2010 GSC Tournament beginning on Friday, April 30 at 11 a.m. against No. 2 Valdosta State. The GSC Tournament is a double-elimination postseason tournament with an automatic regional bid for the winner. The Lady Tigers enter the tournament as the No. 3 seed from the West Division, while Valdosta State is the No. 2 seed from the East and is ranked No. 2 nationally.
