Softball

Piedmont, Huntingdon, and Belhaven Lead CCS Softball Postseason Honors

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OXFORD, Ala. (April 30, 2026) – The Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) has announced its 2026 Softball postseason award winners, as voted on by the league’s head coaches. Piedmont’s Anslee Saunchegraw headlines the list after earning both Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors, while Huntingdon’s Allie Roberts repeats as Pitcher of the Year. Belhaven’s AR Sharp was named Rookie Pitcher of the Year, and head coach Kevin Griffin was selected as Coach of the Year following another standout season at the helm, as revealed by the league office.

Player of the Year & Rookie Player of the Year | Anslee Saunchegraw, Piedmont
Anslee Saunchegraw delivered a remarkable freshman campaign, earning both CCS Player of the Year and Rookie Player of the Year honors. Saunchegraw led Piedmont in every major offensive category, including batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and total bases in her freshman campaign. She also paced the CCS in batting average (.491), on-base percentage (.561), slugging percentage (.904), and OPS (1.465), while ranking tied for second in the conference with 10 home runs. Across 38 games, Saunchegraw recorded 56 hits, 44 runs scored, 13 doubles, two triples, and 38 RBI, showcasing a complete offensive profile. Her performance earned national recognition, including a spot on the NFCA Player of the Year Watchlist and NFCA Player of the Week honors. A three-time CCS Rookie of the Week selection and a CCS Player of the Week honoree, Saunchegraw consistently delivered throughout the season. She closed the regular season in dominant fashion, hitting a home run in game one of a doubleheader against Wesleyan.
 
Pitcher of the Year | Allie Roberts, Huntingdon
Allie Roberts continued her dominance in the circle, earning CCS Pitcher of the Year honors for the second consecutive season after another standout campaign. The junior posted a 13-4 record across 24 appearances, including 16 starts, four saves, and nine complete games. Over 95.1 innings pitched, Roberts recorded a 1.47 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP while limiting opponents to a .188 batting average. She struck out 111 batters, leading the CCS and ranking among the top performers nationally. Roberts finished first in the conference in ERA, strikeouts, and wins, while ranking among the league leaders in multiple additional categories. Her performance also garnered national attention, earning a spot on the NFCA Pitcher of the Year Watchlist. She currently ranks 18th in NCAA Division III in strikeouts and 20th in ERA.

Rookie Pitcher of the Year | AR Sharp, Belhaven
AR Sharp emerged as one of the conference’s top young arms, earning Rookie Pitcher of the Year honors following an impressive debut season. The freshman compiled a 9-0 record across 26 appearances, logging 58.0 innings pitched with a 2.90 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. She allowed 65 hits and 26 runs while holding opponents to a .288 batting average and added two saves, providing consistent production in both starting and relief roles.

Coach of the Year | Kevin Griffin, Belhaven
Head Coach Kevin Griffin guided Belhaven to another championship-caliber season, earning CCS Coach of the Year honors in his 16th year leading the program. The Blazers secured the CCS regular-season title with a 15-1 conference record and reached another milestone with their sixth consecutive 30-win season.
 
Belhaven led all institutions with nine all-conference selections across the first and second teams, followed by Maryville with six selections. Huntingdon and Piedmont each placed four student-athletes on the all-conference teams, while Asbury earned two selections and Agnes Scott rounded out the list with one honoree.
The 2026 CCS Softball Championship is currently underway, with teams competing for the conference title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament. Fans can follow every pitch, hit, and key moment live and free on the CCS Network (www.theccsnetwork.com), as the conference continues to expand access and visibility for its championship events.
 
2026 CCS Softball Superlative Awards
Player of the Year – Anslee Saunchegraw, Piedmont
Pitcher of the Year – Allie Roberts, Huntingdon
Rookie Player of the Year – Anslee Saunchegraw, Piedmont
Rookie Pitcher of the Year – AR Sharp, Belhaven
Coach of the Year – Kevin Griffin, Belhaven
 
 
2026 CCS Softball All-Conference Teams
First Team
C Elyanna Rogers Asbury Freshman Dayton, Va.
1B Kaleigh Steverson Belhaven Junior Canton, Miss.
2B Maddi Spieks Piedmont Junior Monticello, Ga.
SS Anslee Saunchegraw Piedmont Freshman Covington, Ga.
3B Maddie Grace Hubbard Huntingdon Senior South Pittsburg, Tenn.
OF Kylie Stephens Huntingdon Junior Marianna, Fla.
OF Catie Zani Maryville Sophomore Kingsport, Tenn.
OF Mandi Peretti Piedmont Sophomore Cumming, Ga.
DP Sydney Dickinson Maryville Sophomore Nolensville, Tenn.
UTIL Taylor Selby Agnes Scott Sophomore Corryton, Tenn.
P Allie Roberts Huntingdon Junior Auburn, Ala.
P Macy Funderburk Belhaven Junior West Monroe, La.
At-Large Moira Tinsley Asbury Sophomore Ogden, Utah
 
Second Team
C Maddie Bruner Belhaven Junior Brandon, La.
1B Paige Dickinson Maryville Senior Nolensville, Tenn.
2B Jessica Harris Maryville Senior Morristown, Tenn.
SS Melissa Lopera Belhaven Junior New Orleans, La.
3B Ellie Williamson Belhaven Senior Jackson, Miss.
OF Grace Langston Belhaven Junior Niceville, Fla.
OF Emma Blankenship Maryville Senior Maryville, Tenn.
OF Reagan Bryan Belhaven Senior Meridian, Miss.
DP Maryanna Guy Belhaven Junior Brandon, Miss.
UTIL Valerie Bailey Piedmont Sophomore Cleveland, Ga.
P Addison Gaines Huntingdon Sophomore Peachtree City, Ga.
P Sydney Dickinson Maryville Sophomore Nolensville, Tenn.
At-Large Liberty Gillihan Belhaven Junior McComb, Miss.
 
 
All-Sportsmanship Team
Taylor Selby Agnes Scott Sophomore Corryton, Tenn.
Katelyn Bolin Asbury Junior Berea, Ky.
Maddie Bruner Belhaven Junior Brandon, Miss.
Tisha Holland Covenant Junior Guyton, Ga.
Aubree Flanagan Huntingdon Senior Fairhope, Ala.
Kayla Helms LaGrange Sophomore Dallas, Ga.
Jenna Sims Maryville Junior Soddy Daisy, Tenn.
Rylie Erickson Piedmont Senior Dawsonville, Ga.
Katelyn McCord Wesleyan Senior Savannah, Ga.

 
ABOUT THE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE OF THE SOUTH (CCS)
The CCS is an NCAA Division III athletic conference that began play during the 2022-23 academic year. The conference features nine member institutions (Agnes Scott College, Asbury University, Belhaven University, Covenant College, Huntingdon College, LaGrange College, Maryville College, Piedmont University, and Wesleyan College) and sponsors championships across 14 sports. In addition to sharing the member institutions' geographic identity, the name 'Collegiate Conference of the South' is indicative of a shared commitment to academic excellence, which is commensurate with the NCAA Division III philosophy.