University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Papp Named to C-USA Softball Preseason All-Conference Team
1/18/2019 1:15:00 PM | Softball
The Hattiesburg, Miss. native earns the honor for the first time in her Southern Miss career
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss senior catcher Samantha Papp was named to the 2019 C-USA Softball Preseason All-Conference Team, the league announced on Friday.
The Hattiesburg, Miss. native and former Oak Grove High School standout has made a major impact on the Southern Miss softball program since she arrived on campus as a freshman in the Fall of 2015.
As a true freshman in 2016, Papp saw action in 39 games, earning 33 starts. She finished the season ranked in the top five on the Southern Miss softball team in total chances, putouts and assists.
Papp made significant strides between her freshman and sophomore seasons as she raised her batting average by 52 points and her slugging percentage by 180 points.
She appeared in 40 of the Golden Eagles' games in 2017 and made 31 starts. Papp finished her sophomore campaign with a .269 batting average (25-93), four home runs, two doubles, 13 runs scored, 14 runs batted in, 39 total bases, five walks, a .419 slugging percentage, and a .330 on-base percentage.
Defensively, she recorded 105 putouts, 19 assists and committed just two errors on the season for a fielding percentage of .984.
Additionally, she was ranked in the top five on the Southern Miss softball team in slugging percentage, runs batted in, home runs, total bases, putouts and total chances for the 2017 season.
Papp continued to improve as a junior in 2018 by having the best season of her Southern Miss career. She was one of just two players to start all 55 of Southern Miss' contests during the 2018 season, splitting time between catcher and designated hitter. Papp posted a .285 batting average (51-179) accompanied by four home runs, eighth doubles, 15 runs scored, 28 runs batted in, 71 total bases, two walks, a .397 slugging percentage and a .290 on-base percentage.
The catcher led the Golden Eagles in hits, runs batted in, total bases, stolen base percentage, total plate appearances and at-bats. She also finished the season tied with teammate Destini Brown as the team leader in games played and games started.
Papp concluded the 2018 season ranked in the top five on the Southern Miss softball team in batting average, slugging percentage, doubles, home runs, sac flies, fielding percentage, total chances, putouts and assists.
Southern Miss head softball coach Wendy Hogue on Papp being named to the C-USA Softball Preseason All-Conference Team
"Samantha is so deserving of this honor! She has spent the last three seasons earning the respect of C-USA players and coaches alike. Each year she has been better than the one before and we are excited about what is to come in her final season as a Golden Eagle."
Papp on what being named to the C-USA Softball Preseason All-Conference Team means to her
"Being named to the C-USA Softball Preseason All-Conference Team is an incredible blessing and a huge honor! I truly cannot thank my teammates, coaches, family and friends enough for supporting me, challenging me and encouraging me throughout the entirety of my career. Representing Southern Miss and C-USA the last three years has been a privilege, and I am so ready to begin the 2019 season!"
Already one of the most decorated players in the history of the Southern Miss softball program, the local fan favorite will look to continue her success on the diamond in 2019 as she enters her final season with the Golden Eagles.
The Hattiesburg, Miss. native and former Oak Grove High School standout has made a major impact on the Southern Miss softball program since she arrived on campus as a freshman in the Fall of 2015.
As a true freshman in 2016, Papp saw action in 39 games, earning 33 starts. She finished the season ranked in the top five on the Southern Miss softball team in total chances, putouts and assists.
Papp made significant strides between her freshman and sophomore seasons as she raised her batting average by 52 points and her slugging percentage by 180 points.
She appeared in 40 of the Golden Eagles' games in 2017 and made 31 starts. Papp finished her sophomore campaign with a .269 batting average (25-93), four home runs, two doubles, 13 runs scored, 14 runs batted in, 39 total bases, five walks, a .419 slugging percentage, and a .330 on-base percentage.
Defensively, she recorded 105 putouts, 19 assists and committed just two errors on the season for a fielding percentage of .984.
Additionally, she was ranked in the top five on the Southern Miss softball team in slugging percentage, runs batted in, home runs, total bases, putouts and total chances for the 2017 season.
Papp continued to improve as a junior in 2018 by having the best season of her Southern Miss career. She was one of just two players to start all 55 of Southern Miss' contests during the 2018 season, splitting time between catcher and designated hitter. Papp posted a .285 batting average (51-179) accompanied by four home runs, eighth doubles, 15 runs scored, 28 runs batted in, 71 total bases, two walks, a .397 slugging percentage and a .290 on-base percentage.
The catcher led the Golden Eagles in hits, runs batted in, total bases, stolen base percentage, total plate appearances and at-bats. She also finished the season tied with teammate Destini Brown as the team leader in games played and games started.
Papp concluded the 2018 season ranked in the top five on the Southern Miss softball team in batting average, slugging percentage, doubles, home runs, sac flies, fielding percentage, total chances, putouts and assists.
Southern Miss head softball coach Wendy Hogue on Papp being named to the C-USA Softball Preseason All-Conference Team
"Samantha is so deserving of this honor! She has spent the last three seasons earning the respect of C-USA players and coaches alike. Each year she has been better than the one before and we are excited about what is to come in her final season as a Golden Eagle."
Papp on what being named to the C-USA Softball Preseason All-Conference Team means to her
"Being named to the C-USA Softball Preseason All-Conference Team is an incredible blessing and a huge honor! I truly cannot thank my teammates, coaches, family and friends enough for supporting me, challenging me and encouraging me throughout the entirety of my career. Representing Southern Miss and C-USA the last three years has been a privilege, and I am so ready to begin the 2019 season!"
Already one of the most decorated players in the history of the Southern Miss softball program, the local fan favorite will look to continue her success on the diamond in 2019 as she enters her final season with the Golden Eagles.
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
C
/ SoftballLetter to Softball: KK Agner
Sunday, April 28
Letter to Softball: Caroline Worrell
Sunday, April 28
Letter to Softball: Hannah Borden
Sunday, April 28
Letter to Softball: Maria Smith
Sunday, April 28