BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Brittany Mack, Anissa Young and Simone Heyward represented the No. 21 LSU softball program on the All-SEC squads and head coach Yvette Girouard shared the SEC Coach of the Year award Wednesday as announced by the league office.
Mack secured All-SEC First-Team honors, while Young garnered All-SEC Second-Team accolades. Heyward picked up an All-SEC Freshman selection.
For Girouard it was her fourth SEC Coach of the Year honor, the most by any coach in conference history. The Hall of Fame coach earned it outright in 2001 along with co-honors in 2002 and 2006.
“We’re very excited for all of our SEC award winners,” Girouard said. “Brittany, Anissa and Simone have had outstanding seasons and been key components to why our team has been able to finish the season on a strong note.”
“Brittany and Anissa have taken their games to the next level during their junior seasons,” Girouard continued. “They have provided some clutch moments in key situations when our team has needed them the most. Simone is a special talent that continues to get better each day and has a bright future ahead of her.”
Mack, a three-time SEC Pitcher of the Week recipient, stepped up her play in league action and posted 13 wins, a 1.53 ERA and 123 strikeouts to rank among the SEC’s Top 3. The Round Rock, Texas, native recorded 10 or more strikeouts on five occasions highlighted by a 14 Ks performance against No. 1 Alabama where she gutted out all 14 innings on 234 pitches.
Young produced a hit in 12 of LSU’s last 21 contests dating back to March 20. She connected for consecutive walkoff home runs during LSU’s sweep of Alabama to not only earn SEC Player of the Week, but USA Softball National Player of the Week.
Heyward, the reigning SEC Freshman of the Week, finished SEC action strong and tallied hits in eight of her last 11 outings. She also ranked among the SEC’s Top 10 with 17 walks and 10 stolen bases during conference play.
LSU meets No. 8 Georgia Thursday in the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament held at the Ole Miss Softball Complex. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m. and the contest will be televised by ESPNU with Beth Mowins and Michele Smith anchoring the coverage.
All of LSU’s games at the SEC Tournament also will have live audio and live stats in the Geaux Zone on LSUsports.net. Live video will be provided by ESPN3.com and the contests also will be carried on ESPN 104.5 FM in Baton Rouge with Patrick Wright and Matt Dunaway calling the action.
In-game updates are provided via the program’s social media pages at www.Facebook.com/lsusoftball and www.Twitter.com/LSU_Softball.
2011 SEC Softball Awards
SEC Co-Coaches of the Year
Tim Walton, Florida; Yvette Girouard, LSU
SEC Player of the Year
Kelsey Bruder, Florida
SEC Pitcher of the Year
Kelsi Dunne, Alabama
SEC Freshman of the Year
Ellen Renfroe, Tennessee
SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Meagan Aull, Kentucky
All-SEC First Team
P – Kelsi Dunne, Alabama
P – Brittany Mack, LSU
INF – Whitney Larsen, Alabama
INF – Megan Bush, Florida
INF – Alisa Goler, Georgia
INF – Lauren Gibson, Tennessee
OF – Kayla Braud, Alabama
OF – Kelsey Bruder, Florida
OF – Megan Wiggins, Georgia
OF – Raven Chavanne, Tennessee
C – Megan Yocke, Kentucky
DP/UTL – Brittany Schutte, Florida
All-SEC Second Team
P – Hannah Rogers, Florida
P – Ellen Renfroe, Tennessee
INF – Aja Paculba, Florida
INF – Brianna Hesson, Georgia
INF – Kara Dill, Kentucky
INF – Anissa Young, LSU
OF – Michelle Moultrie, Florida
OF – Taylor Schlopy, Georgia
OF – Meagan Aull, Kentucky
OF – Kelly Grieve, Tennessee
C – Ashley Razey, Georgia
DP/UTL – Amanda Locke, Alabama
All-SEC Freshman Team
P – Hannah Rogers, Florida
P – Ellen Renfroe, Tennessee
INF – Kaila Hunt, Alabama
INF – Cheyenne Coyle, Florida
INF – Emily Jolly, Kentucky
INF – Madison Shipman, Tennessee
OF – Simone Heyward, LSU
OF – RT Cantillo, Ole Miss
OF – Brianna Bell, Mississippi State
C – Sam Lenahan, Mississippi State
DP/UTL – Morgan Estell, Auburn
SEC All-Defensive Team
P – Kelsi Dunne, Alabama
P – Hannah Rogers, Florida
C – Kendall Dawson, Alabama
1B – Brianna Hesson, Georgia
2B – Lauren Gibson, Tennessee
SS – Whitney Larsen, Alabama
3B – Alisa Goler, Georgia
LF – Megan Wiggins, Georgia
CF – Michelle Moultrie, Florida
CF – Kelly Grieve, Tennessee
RF – Jazlyn Lunceford, Alabama