Lenoir-Rhyne’s Meredith O’Connor Named MVP Of Food Lion SAC Softball Tournament

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Lenoir-Rhyne pitcher Meredith O'Connor, who struck out eight in the championship game against Wingate to help the Bears claim the 2007 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Softball Tournament, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

O'Connor, who was named the SAC Softball Pitcher of the Year, also had 10 strikeouts and allowed just two hits in a 2-1 win over Presbyterian in the tournament.

Joining O'Connor on the All-Tournament team from Lenoir-Rhyne are Leah Krohn, who hit the game-winning home run in the 11th inning in the championship game; pitcher Casey Hanes, who threw a two-hit shutout against Tusculum and had eight strikeouts in a win over Carson-Newman; catcher Karie Pushard, the SAC Player of the Year, and outfielder Taylor Queen. Pushard had two RBIs in the championship game, while Queen had a big game against Tusculum with a homer, a triple, a single, three RBI and two runs scored.

Meredith O'Connor

Runner-up Wingate placed three on the All-Tournament Team: pitcher Ashley Green, left fielder Joy Henry, who had three hits in the championship game, and second baseman Megan McPhail.

Carson-Newman had a pair of All-Tournament selections in Hillary Hammond and Stephanie Templeton.

Rounding out the All-Tournament team is Katie Bryden from Mars Hill

The All-Tournament team is selected by a vote of the legaue's head coaches.