Brown, Nichols, Sumerlin and Trahan Tabbed as C-USA Softball All-Conference Selections

2019 C-USA Softball All-Conference Awards

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss junior pitcher Abby Trahan, junior shortstop Lacey Sumerlin and sophomore outfielders Destini Brown and Karley Nichols were named C-USA All-Conference selections, the league announced on Tuesday.

Southern Miss head softball coach Wendy Hogue on Brown, Nichols, Sumerlin and Trahan being named C-USA All-Conference selections
"Our entire team has played very well all season, and having four players recognized as C-USA All-Conference selections is a testimony to that. Destini was a candidate for Player of the Year, so a First Team nod was a no-brainer. She excels in every aspect of the game and we are so proud of her and her humble spirit! Lacey has been an impact player for us – offensively and defensively, and it is nice that the other coaches in the conference were able to see that. Our pitching staff has led C-USA all year, and Abby has been the go-to in conference games. What an honor for her to represent our staff on the team. As for Karley, she is such a competitor! She worked her way into the lineup after coming back from an early season injury. Although she had to learn a new position, she was ready and able to step up to the challenge. I am very proud of these ladies and their well-deserved recognition."

Trahan, a native of Kaplan, La. landed a spot on the C-USA All-Conference First Team after having a terrific season in the circle for the Golden Eagles during the 2019 regular season.

Trahan wrapped up the regular season with a 1.89 ERA and a 14-11 record. She started 27 games and appeared in 30. Trahan went the distance 19 times and accumulated 162.2 innings pitched. The Saint Francis University transfer racked up a total of 129 strikeouts, seven shutouts and one save. The right-hander issued just 31 walks. She registered a total of six complete-game shutouts during the regular season.

The Golden Eagles' ace currently ranks in the top 12 in C-USA in earned run average (1^st), opposing batting average (9), innings pitched (4^th), strikeouts (5^th), strikeouts looking (T-4^th), wins (T-6^th) and games started (3^rd).

Trahan garnered C-USA Pitcher of the Week honors twice, earlier this season.

Sumerlin, a native of Mobile, Ala. who transferred to Southern Miss after a two-year stint at the University of Georgia has made an immediate impact for the Golden Eagles in 2019, starting all 51 games at shortstop.

Sumerlin concluded the regular season with a .333 batting average (45-for-135), a .630 slugging percentage and a .460 on-base percentage. The right-handed hitting Sumerlin amassed 30 runs scored, 11 doubles, one triple, nine home runs, 41 runs batted in, 85 total bases, 35 walks and one stolen base.

Sumerlin currently ranks in the top 12 in C-USA in slugging percentage (8^th), on-base percentage (7^th), runs batted in (T-5^th), doubles (10^th), home runs (T-10^th) walks (5^th) and sac flies (T-3^rd).

This marks Sumerlin's second honor since arriving at Southern Miss as she was selected to the Getterman Classic All-Tournament Team (tournament hosted by Baylor University) earlier in the season.

Sumerlin on being named a C-USA All-Conference First Team selection
"I am excited to have received the All-Conference honors. However, I could not have done so without my teammates. They play a huge role in the success any player on this team has. I feel that we had other deserving players but I am honored to have been selected. I am excited to take on the conference tournament this week."

Brown, a native of McComb, Miss. was named to the C-USA All-Conference First Team after posting solid numbers for the 2019 season.

The center fielder posted a .350 batting average for the regular season along with a .591 slugging percentage and a .500 on-base percentage. Brown racked up a total of 50 runs scored, 48 hits, seven doubles, one triple, eight home runs, 25 runs batted in, 81 total bases, 39 walks and 22 stolen bases. Brown started 50 of Southern Miss' 51 games during regular season play.

On the defensive side, Brown registered 79 putouts, four assists and a .988 fielding percentage all while committing just one error.

The former Parklane Academy standout currently ranks in the top 12 in C-USA in slugging percentage (11^th), on-base percentage (T-2^nd), runs scored (3^rd), home runs (12^th), walks (3^rd), sac flies (6^th), stolen bases (4^th) and total plate appearances (7^th).

This marks the second postseason honor of Brown's career as she was named to the C-USA All-Freshman Team in 2018.

Brown on being named to the C-USA All-Conference First Team
"I am thankful to be receiving this award and even more thankful for a team that helped me achieve it."

Nichols, a native of Brandon, Miss. was selected to the C-USA All-Conference Second Team. Nichols has been an integral part of Southern Miss' success this season as she has stepped up and filled the right field role after an early season injury sidelined Kaley Fruge.
Nichols battled her own early season injury as well but after returning to action, she caught fire and is now sporting the best batting average on the team (.386). In addition, Nicholls has recorded 12 runs scored, 27 hits, two doubles, one triple, six runs batted in, 31 total bases, four walks, five stolen bases, a .443 slugging percentage, and a .413 on-base percentage for the regular season.
In the outfield, Nichols has logged 15 putouts, one assist and a 1.000 fielding percentage. Nichols logged a total of 30 games played this season and has made 27 starts.

Nichols on earning C-USA All-Conference Second Team honors
"It means so much to me to be recognized as a C-USA All-Conference Second Team selection, but it would mean nothing if it were not for my teammates. They push me, help me grow and teach me. I am forever grateful for their support because I could not have done this without them."

Southern Miss will return to action on Wednesday, May 8 when they take on UTSA in the opening round of the 2019 C-USA Softball Tournament. The first pitch between the Golden Eagles and the Roadrunners is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. (CT). The tournament will be played at Mary Bowers Field in Birmingham, Ala.

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).

University of Southern Mississippi Athletics

Brown, Nichols, Sumerlin and Trahan Tabbed as C-USA Softball All-Conference Selections

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Players Mentioned

Destini Brown

Kaley Fruge

Karley Nichols

Lacey Sumerlin

Abby Trahan

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