BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Texas Southern senior pitcher Lauren Rodriguez was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference 2018 Softball Player and Pitcher of the Year as the league announced its softball postseason honors Monday morning. The team was chosen via a vote among the conference's head coaches and sports information directors.

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Lady Lions softball team had senior outfielder Tonnay Hawkins earn First Team All-SWAC honors. Hawkins, who finished tied for third in the conference in hits with 52, was the lone Lady Lion to land a spot on any All-conference team. The senior leader finished tied for seventh in stolen bases with 16.

Alcorn State senior infielder Taylor Hughes won Hitter of the Year accolades for the second year in a row, and fellow Lady Brave Paige Taylor received the Newcomer of the Year award. Texas Southern's Julia Bilbao was honored as freshman of the year – the second year in a row a Lady Tigers player has garnered the award – and Alabama A&M's Nakeya Hall was voted the SWAC Coach of the Year. 

Rodriguez posted a sparkling 11-1 win-loss record for the western division champion Lady Tigers. The senior from Houston, Texas led the league in wins and earned run average (2.14). The only SWAC pitcher to average more than a strikeout per inning, Rodriguez also ranked third in opponent batting average (.225) and notched the second-most strikeouts among conference pitchers with 79.

Hughes bat .350 for the Lady Braves, posting 41 hits, 26 RBI and 21 runs scored. It was a historic season for the senior, as she set Alcorn State career records for hits and doubles. She drew a league-best 24 walks in becoming a back-to-back winner of the league's top hitter award. 

Texas Southern led all teams with six All-SWAC selections. Alabama A&M and Alabama State each picked up four all-conference spots, and Alcorn State and Southern saw three players earn all-league consideration. Mississippi Valley, Prairie View, Jackson State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff each had one selection. The full team is listed below. 


PLAYER/PITCHER OF THE YEAR - Lauren Rodriguez, Texas Southern 
HITTER OF THE YEAR - Taylor Hughes, Alcorn State 
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR - Paige Taylor, Alcorn State 
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR - Julia Bilbao, Texas Southern 
COACH OF THE YEAR – Nakeya Hall, Alabama A&M 


ALL-SWAC SOFTBALL FIRST TEAM 
1B – Taylor Hughes, Alcorn State 
2B – Jocilynn Ellis, Texas Southern 
3B – Kristin Gunter, Alabama State 
SS – Tiana Sanders, Alabama A&M 
C – Kiara Suttles, Southern 
OF – Tonnay Hawkins, UAPB 
OF – Sydney Andrews, Southern 
OF – Mariah Ortiz, Alcorn State 
DP – Charlene Castro, Alabama State 
P – Lauren Rodriguez, Texas Southern 
P – Jasmin Fulmore, Texas Southern 
P – Crystal Castillo, Prairie View A&M 

ALL-SWAC SOFTBALL SECOND TEAM 
1B – Sierra Valdez, Texas Southern 
2B – Tamia-Lee Barbadillo, Alabama A&M 
3B – Ariel Smith, Alabama A&M 
SS – Dominique Tello, Texas Southern 
C – Marissa Padron, Texas Southern 
OF – Kelsey Smith, Jackson State 
OF – Kailyn Dunn, Mississippi Valley State 
OF – Amira James, Alabama State 
DP – Jazmine Dukes, Southern 
P – Justine Jean, Alabama State 
P – Winter Ridgeway, Alcorn State 
P – Lauren Hayden, Alabama A&M