GREENVILLE, S.C. (April 24) – The University of Mount Olive softball program featured three selections on the All-Conference Carolinas Teams announced by the league office on Thursday, highlighted by freshman Linda Hodge and senior Alyssa Smothers earning first-team status.

Junior Samantha Taylor was voted second-team all-conference by the league coaches. Additionally, sophomore McKenzie Millard, sophomore Laci Best, and Taylor were all selected to the Conference Carolinas All-Defensive Team.

In the circle, Hodge was tabbed first-team all-conference following an outstanding freshman campaign with the Trojans. She holds a 12-9 overall record in 20 starts while ranking third in the Conference Carolinas with 143.0 innings pitched. Hodge sits fourth in the league with 12 complete games, including four shutout performances. She posted a 2.85 ERA in 29 appearances while tallying 102 strikeouts and holding opponents to a .241 batting average. Additionally, Hodge was a two-time Conference Carolinas Pitcher of the Week.

Smothers garners All-Conference Carolinas First-Team honors for the first time in her career after playing second base for Mount Olive this season. She boasted a .313 batting average in Conference Carolinas play with 20 hits, two homers, eight runs batted in, and 17 runs scored. Smothers produced six multi-hit performances while also delivering a 10-game reached-base streak.

Taylor received second-team all-league honors after being one of the top offensive threats in the Trojan lineup. She led the team with a .357 batting average behind 55 hits, 10 doubles, three triples, four homers, 48 runs batted in, and 31 runs scored. In 48 starts, Taylor registered a team-best 13 multi-RBI performances while recording 11 multi-hit games. 

Defensively, the Trojans featured a league-best three players on the all-defensive team after ranking among the top of the Conference Carolinas with a .958 fielding percentage. Millard, the third baseman, registered a team-best 66 assists with 61 putouts while contributing to seven doubles plays. Best competed in eight games or more in three different positions, including 21 contests behind the plate. She boasted an impressive .980 field percentage with just three errors while ranking second on the team with 137 putouts. Taylor lockdown left field the entire year and recorded a team-best 86 putouts among outfielders with four assists and just three errors in 48 starts.