Southern Miss Softball to Honor Senior Class on Sunday

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Southern Miss softball team will hold its annual Senior Day on Sunday, May 5 when they host Louisiana Tech in a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 p.m. (CT). Southern Miss will honor seniors Chase Nelson, Samantha Papp and Sarah Van Schaik for all of their contributions to the Southern Miss softball program.

Nelson, the Golden Eagles starting second baseman came to Southern Miss by way of the University of Missouri after the conclusion of her freshman year in 2016. The Paragould, Ark. native has not only made an impact on the Southern Miss softball program but also on the campus of Southern Miss and in the local community.

Nelson has certainly saved her best season for last as she has been one of the biggest contributors to the Golden Eagles' offense in 2019. The left-handed hitter currently leads the team in the triples (2) category for the 2019 season and is tied as the team's leader in hits (46). Nelson's veteran presence in the middle infield has also been a key component to Southern Miss' success in 2019.

In addition to her 46 hits and two triples, Nelson is currently sporting a .322 (46-for-143) batting average, a .813 on-base plus slugging percentage, a .406 slugging percentage and a .407 on-base percentage. She has also racked up 32 runs scored, eight doubles, eight runs batted in, 58 total bases, 20 walks and five stolen bases over the course of the season. She has played in and started 47 games for Southern Miss at second base this season.

Off of the field, Nelson has been involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities that include: being a member of the Southern Miss Leadership Academy, a volunteer at Grace Christian Elementary School, assisting with Operation Christmas Child and serving as a team leader for the Special Olympics of Hattiesburg.

The senior second baseman has collected her fair share of awards and honors at Southern Miss as well including: Who's Who, President's List, the Voyageur Outward Bound Award, the C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal and C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll.

Nelson on her time at Southern Miss since arriving on campus in 2016
"Southern Miss has been my home away from home for three years now. A place that I have been able to excel and grow in all aspects. I have met some incredible people, teammates, etc. that have made my time here worthwhile, so thank you, to all of those people. As my time here is coming to an end, I feel nothing but gratitude towards this place. While it is bittersweet, I know that Southern Miss has fully prepared me to take on whatever chapter comes next in my life."

Papp, the Golden Eagles' starting catcher and Hattiesburg, Miss. native didn't have to travel far when she made the decision to attend Southern Miss four years ago. The former Oak Grove High School standout has made the most of the opportunity to play Division I softball in her hometown for the school that she grew up rooting for. One of just two current players on the Sothern Miss roster that has been a part of the program for four years, Papp has been a staple for her hometown university throughout her career.

Papp's veteran leadership behind the plate has been a vital asset for the Golden Eagles this season as she has helped guide the way for a Southern Miss pitching staff that features two newcomers and two freshmen.

Papp has played in and started all 48 games for Southern Miss in 2019 and is currently batting .225 (29-for-129) with 13 runs scored, seven doubles, 13 runs batted in, 36 total bases and seven walks. She also holds a .554 on-base plus slugging percentage, a .279 slugging percentage and a .275 on-base percentage. The local product was tabbed a C-USA Preseason All-Conference Selection prior to the 2019 season.

Over the course of her four years at Southern Miss, Papp has created quiet the resume for herself. On the campus of Southern Miss, Papp has been involved with SAAC, the Honors College Leadership Council, the Student-Athlete Leadership Academy, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Student Marketing Advisory Committee and FCA.

Papp has served her local community by volunteering with The Arc of Southeast Mississippi, the Special Olympics, serving as a volunteer coach for the Mississippi Thunder 14U softball team and reading to elementary school students in the Hattiesburg area.

The list of honors and awards the Papp has accumulated at Southern Miss includes: Presidential Scholar, President's List, C-USA Commissioner's Academic Medal, C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll, Southern Miss Student Hall of Fame, Who's Who, Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Special Education in the School of Education, C-USA All-Conference Second Team, C-USA All-Academic Team, C-USA Spirit of Service Award, Southern Miss Softball MVP, Rankin A. and Lucy R. Clinton Scholarship Endowment, Southern Miss Softball Co-Defensive Player of the Year and Outstanding Freshman Female Scholar Athlete.

Papp on what Southern Miss has meant to her the past four years
"The last four years have been the best four years of my life! When I was a freshman, I had no idea how much I would learn, change and grow throughout college. The challenges and success that I have experienced at Southern Miss have contributed to who I am today. My academic and athletic involvements have allowed me to learn so much about who I am and who I want to be. Because of Southern Miss, I have had countless opportunities that have opened doors for my future. I have made some of my favorite memories at Southern Miss with some of my best friends by my side. I would do it all again in a heartbeat."

Van Schaik, Southern Miss' starting first baseman has been a welcomed addition to the program. The Petal, Miss. native arrived on the campus of Southern Miss after spending the first two seasons of her collegiate career competing for Ole Miss. Although she has only been a Golden Eagle for two years, Van Schaik has left her mark on the university.

The right-handed hitter has been one of the biggest offensive producers for Southern Miss over the course of the 2019 season, batting .324 (45-for-139), with a .888 on-base plus slugging percentage, a .504 slugging percentage and a .384 on-base percentage. Van Schaik has also amassed 20 runs scored, 17 doubles, one triple, two home runs, 36 runs batted in, 70 total bases and 13 walks.

Van Schaik's 17 doubles currently rank as a C-USA best for the 2019 season. The former Petal High School star's talent has been recognized by other coaches outside of C-USA this season as she was selected to the Easton Crimson Classic All-Tournament Team after posting stellar numbers in the tournament hosted by the University of Alabama.

During her two years at Southern Miss, Van Schaik has been involved in FCA, SAAC, and the Southern Miss Leadership Academy. She also been named to the President's List the Dean's List and the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll.

Van Schaik on how Southern Miss has embraced her the last two years
"I have had the opportunity to call Southern Miss home for the past two years. I found a home here and a family with the team. Not every day has been perfect. I have had two injuries that were extremely difficult to cope with, but Southern Miss never failed me. They have taken care of me on and off the field. I fell in love with the university when I came to campus. It is a great place to be and it comes with wonderful people. Southern Miss has given me the experience I always wanted. I had a high school coach tell me one time, "Go to a university that when you are finished you can come back to" and I found that here at Southern Miss."

After Southern Miss ended the 2018 season with an overall record of 19-36, 8-16 in C-USA and did not make the C-USA Tournament, Nelson, Papp and Van Schaik got together and discussed how things would be different in their final season. "After last season ended, the three of us talked about what we wanted our last season to look like. We talked about how we wanted to lead together, what we wanted the team culture to look like and ultimately, what goals we wanted to accomplish. Since we had the conversation last summer, we have really tried to follow those plans and work together to make this year the best year possible. We wanted to create a culture that expects excellence and pursues that daily. It has been an incredible journey spending our senior years together." said Papp.

Southern Miss head softball coach Wendy Hogue on the 2019 senior class
"What a tremendous impact these seniors have made on our program. They are true leaders on and off the field. They are scholar athletes, active in the university and community and they are impact players on the field. Southern Miss softball is in a much better place because Samantha, Chase and Sarah chose to invest in it. Gosh, I am going to miss those girls."

The three seniors have done more than just talk about what they wanted out of their final season, they have made it happen. Southern Miss is currently rocking an overall record of 29-19 and C-USA record of 12-9, marking one of the best seasons in the program's history in over a decade. The 2019 squad also posted an 11-game winning streak from March 31-April 17 which was the longest winning-streak posted by any Southern Miss softball team since the 2000 season. Last but certainly not least, they have clinched a berth in the C-USA Tournament that will be played in Birmingham, Ala. next week, a feat that has not been accomplished by the program since 2016.

Senior Day

Senior Day festivities will begin at 11:45 a.m. (CT) on Sunday, May 5.
Commemorative Senior Day mini posters will be given away to fans at the main gate while supplies last.
Fans will have the opportunity to get autographs from the Southern Miss softball team following the conclusion of Sunday's doubleheader.

Ticket info
Fans can purchase tickets to all home Southern Miss softball games by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office Monday-Friday from the hours of 8:00 a.m. (CT) - 5:00 p.m. (CT), by calling (800) 844-TICK (8425), online at SouthernMissTickets.com, or at the main gate of the Southern Miss Softball Complex on game day one hour prior to the first pitch.

The Southern Miss ticket office is now proud to offer the Family 4 Pack ticket package to fans which includes: four general admission tickets and a $10 concession stand voucher for only $25!

For all of the latest Southern Miss softball news, fans can follow the official Southern Miss softball Twitter account (@SouthernMissSB), Instagram account (@southernmisssb) and Facebook account (Southern Miss Softball).

Southern Miss Softball to Honor Senior Class on Sunday

Players Mentioned

Chase Nelson

Samantha Papp

Sarah Van Schaik

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