LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- Tusculum University softball's Emily Sappington became just the second Pioneer to earn National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Southeast Region laurels on Wednesday (May 12) afternoon. The sophomore was named to the second team as a utility/pitcher.
The awards honor softball student-athletes from the Association's eight regions with first and second-team selections. NFCA member coaches from each respective region voted on the teams, and all the honorees now become eligible for selection to the 2021 NFCA Division II All-America squads.
New in 2021, conference players and pitchers of the year from member institutions (must be nominated by member head coach) are added to the second team if they were not already voted to an All-Region squad. Additionally, in some instances, limited regional nominations prevented a position from being filled.
The 2021 NFCA Division II All-American teams will be announced on Tuesday, May 25.
On the season, the left-handed pitcher recorded an 11-7 record with a pair of saves in 22 appearances. A native of Ashburn, Virginia, Sappington tossed a team-high 125.0 innings with 127 strikeouts to collect a 2.24 earned-run average. She pitched 14 complete games, including two no-hitters. In 114 plate appearances, she racked up 33 hits, 11 walks, five doubles, two home runs, and 24 RBI while slugging .444.
In the Pioneers' South Atlantic Conference Tournament title run, Sappington earned all three victories for TU in the circle on an even 2.00 ERA. She pitched 21.0 innings with 23 strikeouts, allowed six earned runs and walked a pair. Of the 13 hits relented, only three went for extra bases. Sappington shut out the seventh-ranked team in the nation in the championship game, holding Lincoln Memorial to only three hits. At the plate, she notched four hits, three RBI, two runs scored, and her second collegiate home run.
2021 NFCA Division II All-Southeast Region
First Team
P - Kylee Smith, University of North Georgia
P - Emma Frost, Lincoln Memorial University
P - Hannah Hogue, Erskine College
C - Shelby Hammontree, University of North Georgia
1B - Tatum Brummitt, University of North Carolina at Pembroke
2B - Ty-Kella Goins, Lincoln Memorial University
3B - Shannon Smith, Carson-Newman University
SS - Margaret Simmons, University of North Georgia
OF - Caitlyn Canady, Columbus State University
OF - Biz Walters, Young Harris College
OF - Sydney Goertzen, Catawba College
UTL/P - Hannah Rose Corbin, Columbus State University
DP or UTL/Non-P - Kylee Leonhardt, Lenoir-Rhyne University
Second Team
P - Jill Dixon, Young Harris College
P - Harlie Duncan, Anderson University (S.C.)
P - Nikole Counts, King University
C - Jill Torres, Young Harris College
1B - Kayson Boatner, Anderson University (S.C.)
2B - Cheyanne Mosteller, University of North Georgia
3B - Heaven Maness, Wingate University
SS - Haley Cashwell, Wingate University
OF - Kaylyn Anthony, University of North Georgia
OF - Courtlynn Cooney, University of Mount Olive
OF - Natalie Corbin, Young Harris College
UTL/P - Emily Sappington, Tusculum University
DP or UTL/Non-P - Audrey Petoskey, Lincoln Memorial University
