USA South Softball Awards Announced: Scavone Named Coach of Year, Seven Players Placed on Teams

From Meredith Sports Information Department

2012 USA South All-Conference Selections

Fayetteville, N.C.- The USA South Athletic Conference has announced its 2012 All-Conference awards for softball. A total of 55 student-athletes have been named to the USA South All-Conference teams. Christopher Newport University's Sabrina Hill collected both Player and Rookie of the Year accolades while her teammate, Whitney Haller, earned Pitcher of the Year accolades. Methodist University's Kayla Malone picked up Rookie Pitcher of the Year honors while Meredith College's Kim Scavone took home Coach of the Year accolades. Also, the USA South recognized an All-Sportsmanship Team, consisting of one member from each competing school.

All honors were determined by votes from the softball coach at each institution.

In her second season at Meredith, Head Coach Kim Scavone collects her first Coach of the Year honor. She becomes the first Meredith softball coach to earn a USA South Coach of the Year award. Scavone has led the Avenging Angels to a 26-10 overall record and a program-best 12-6 conference mark, which tied for second place in the league standings. Scavone now takes her squad into the USA South tournament as the second-seeded team.

The Avenging Angels were also well represented on the playing field.  Meredith gained two players on the first team as the middle of the infield was dominated by the Avenging Angels.  Junior Alex Warren took the shortstop position while freshman Amanda White earned her position at second base.  Warren, the New Bern, N.C. (New Bern High School) native hit .311 while hitting six home runs, driving in 25 RBIs and stealing eight bases.  White, the Wilmington, N.C. native (John T. Hoggard High School) led Meredith with eight home runs, eight doubles, two triples and 33 RBIs plus had a team high batting average of .406.

Sophomore Emily Cooke earned a spot on the second team for her play in the outfield. Cooke, Ahoskie, N.C. (Ridgecroft School), led the team in triples (3) while also hitting four home runs and eight doubles.  Junior pitcher Jessica Dzeskewicz took a spot on the third team.  Dzeskewicz, Yadkinville, N.C. (Forbush High School) led the team from the circle with a high of 11 wins, nine complete games while striking out 62 in 81 innings pitced.  

Honorable Mention honors were given to sophomore catcher Lorri Cole and junior pitcher Amanda Beirne.   Cole, Kinston, N.C. (South Lenoir High School) was a defensive force behind the plate and helped control opposing runners while also batting .355 for the Avenging Angels.   Beirne, Bath, N.C. (Northside High School) led the team in strikeouts (100) while picking up nine wins and pitching 108 innings and 11 complete games.

Sophomore Ashley Green was placed on the All-Sportsmanship as Meredith's representative.

USA South website article - 2012