Shorter's Carter Named Region Softball Coach of the Year; three earn all region team honors

Following Shorter College’s appearance in the Region XIII softball tournament in Daphne, Ala., all-region selections were announced with Melanie Carter receiving the Region Coach of the Year award and Missy Duke, Kerry Hammond and Jessica Sanders all making it onto the All-Region Team. In only her first year of coaching, Melanie Carter turned heads across the NAIA as she led the Lady Hawks to a 39-5 regular season record and first place amongst the tough Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC).

Earlier in the season, Carter was awarded the SSAC Coach of the Year award. She played her collegiate career at NCAA II University of Alabama in Huntsville, where she was a four-year starter for the Chargers, a four-time NFCA All-American, four-time First Team All-South Region selection, and in 2001 helped the Chargers to an NCAA II World Series appearance.

Missy Duke, freshman pitcher for the Lady Hawks and SSAC Freshman of the Year, went 21-2 during the regular season and struck out 217 batters in 150.1 innings. She was also strong for Shorter at the plate, batting .373 with 5 HR and 34 RBI.

Kerry Hammond pulled Shorter through several games this season, most recently hitting a three-run homer against Spring Hill College in the Region tournament. She led the Lady Hawks this season in batting average (.422), hits (68), home runs (11) and RBIs (52).

Jessica Sanders, Co-Player of the Year last season in the SSAC, returned to help Shorter reach the national tournament for the first time in its short four-year program history. She led the team in slugging average (.731) and doubles (21).