May 25, 2017

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Senior Victoria Williams earned a spot on the 2017 Academic All-America Division I Softball Third Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), the national organization announced today.

The Williamston, S.C., native ranked third on the Gamecocks in batting average (.301) and RBI (32) while ranking second in doubles (12). She led the team with a .343 batting average and .389 on-base percentage in SEC play, posting seven of her doubles against the toughest conference in the country. Her home runs against USC Upstate and St. Francis provided the game-winning run in both contests. In her career, she posted 13 top-20 offensive marks in South Carolina history, including her rank of 11th with 111 RBI and 10th with 0.52 RBI per game. She helped South Carolina to four-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

Williams becomes the ninth Gamecock in history to take Academic All-America honors and the first under Gamecock head coach Beverly Smith. Williams twice gained the group’s Academic All-District 4 accolade, first in 2015 before taking one again this year.

South Carolina closed the 2017 season with a 34-25 overall record, finishing 10th in the SEC before advancing into the Tucson Regional final, the third Sunday championship-round showing for the Gamecocks in five-straight NCAA appearances under Smith.

2017 CoSIDA Academic All-America Softball Teams ââ’¬” NCAA Division I

First Team
P ââ’¬” Kelly Barnhill, Florida, So.
P ââ’¬” Paige Parker, Oklahoma, Jr.
C ââ’¬” Vanessa Shippy, Oklahoma State, Jr.
IF ââ’¬” Kasey Cooper, Auburn, Sr.
IF ââ’¬” Haley Pace, Charlotte, Jr.
IF ââ’¬” Jessica Twaddle, Murray State, Gr.
IF ââ’¬” Morgan Zerkle, Marshall, Sr.
OF ââ’¬” Nicole Evans, Illinois, Sr.
OF ââ’¬” Haley Hayden, Louisiana-Lafayette, Sr.
OF ââ’¬” Gabrielle Snyder, Dayton, Sr.
DP ââ’¬” Amber Schisler, Campbell, Sr.

Second Team
P ââ’¬” Sydney Littlejohn, Alabama, Gr.
P ââ’¬” Alex Stewart, Louisiana-Lafayette, Sr.
C ââ’¬” Kirsten Mack, Missouri, Sr.
IF ââ’¬” Lindsey Cargill, Baylor, Gr.
IF ââ’¬” Hannah Flippen, Utah, Sr.
IF ââ’¬” Kayli Kvistad, Florida, Jr.
IF ââ’¬” Kassidy Zeringue, Louisiana-Lafayette, Sr.
OF ââ’¬” Chandler Dare, Alabama, Gr.
OF ââ’¬” Lea Foerster, Michigan State, Jr.
OF ââ’¬” Breanne Ray, Kentucky, Sr.
DP ââ’¬” Gabrielle Kelliher, Marist, Jr.

Third Team
P ââ’¬” Sara Groenewegen, Minnesota, Sr.
P ââ’¬” Kristina Zalewski, Michigan State, Jr.
C ââ’¬” Elizabeth Snow, Albany, Sr.
IF ââ’¬” Meghan Gregg, Tennessee, Jr.
IF ââ’¬” Shaye Harris, Southern Illinois, Sr.
IF ââ’¬” Lauren Moore, UNC Wilmington, Sr.
IF ââ’¬” Kelli Schkade, North Texas, Sr.
OF ââ’¬” Cecilia Bauer, Houston Baptist, Sr.
OF ââ’¬” Morgan Klaevemann, Florida State, Jr.
OF ââ’¬” Shersty Stanton, Belmont, Sr.
DP ââ’¬” Victoria Williams, South Carolina, Sr.