May 11, 2006

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Southeastern Conference announced its 2006 Softball All-SEC awards Wednesday, and South Carolina’s Ashley Smith and Christie Hamilton earned honors. Smith was named SEC Scholar-Athlete for the third consecutive year and Hamilton became the second consecutive freshman to be named to the All-Freshman team.

Smith, the Gamecocks’ starting catcher, was named the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the third straight year. The Portage, Mich. native has a 4.0 GPA in civil engineering and led the Gamecocks in SEC action with a .286 batting average. Smith led the Gamecocks in RBI with 12 and in hits with 20.

Hamilton is the second freshman to be named to the All-Freshman team. Jessica Josker was named in 2005. Hamilton is a pitcher and also played shortstop and was the designated player for the Gamecocks this season. She recorded five of USC’s conference wins and finished tied for second on the team in doubles with three. The Acworth, Ga. native recorded 84 strikeouts in 90.1 innings pitched. She finished the season with 15 wins overall and recorded 16 RBI.

2006 SEC Softball Awards

Player of the Year
Kristen Butler, Florida

Pitcher of the Year
Stephanie VanBrakle

Co-Coach of the Year
Patrick Murphy, Alabama
Yvette Girouard, LSU

Freshman of the Year
Brittany Rogers, Alabama

Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Ashley Smith, South Carolina

First Team All-SEC
P – Stephanie VanBrakle, Alabama
P – Emily Turner, LSU
C – Kristen Butler, Florida
IF – Lindsay Schutzler, Tennessee
IF – Megan McAllister, Georgia
IF – Tonya Callahan, Tennessee
IF – Staci Ramsey, Alabama
OF – Brittany Rogers, Alabama
OF – Sarah Fekete, Tennessee
OF – Leslie Klein, LSU
OF – Kellie Middleton, Georgia
DH/UT – Jordan Praytor, Alabama

Second Team All-SEC
P – Monica Abbott, Tennessee
P – Kasi Carroll, Georgia
C – Ashley Holcombe, Alabama
IF – Dani Woods, Alabama
IF – Kristina McCain, Auburn
IF – Chelsea Cantillo, Georgia
IF – Melissa Zick, Florida
OF – Courtney Knight, Georgia
OF – Kim Waleszonia, Florida
OF – Sara Ghezzi, Auburn
OF – Lindsey Cameron, Florida
DH/UT – Jessica Doucette, Georgia

Freshman All-SEC
Kelley Montalvo, Alabama
Brittany Rogers, Alabama
Tatiana Fernandez, Auburn
Brooke Johnson, Florida
Stacey Nelson, Florida
Kim Waleszonia, Florida
Chelsea Cantillo, Georgia
Megan Miller, Kentucky
Dani Hofer, LSU
Lisa Conchos, Ole Miss
Christie Hamilton, South Carolina
Liane Horiuchi, Tennessee