Carson-Newman's Rinus and Coker's Williamson Earn Softball All-American Honors

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) - Carson-Newman pitcher Lacie Rinus has earned All-American honors from the Division II Conference Commissioner's Association, and Rinus and Coker first baseman Maria Williamson were both named All-Americans by the National Fast Pitch Coaches Association, the organizations announced Wednesday (May 23).

Rinus was formidable both at the plate and in the circle on the year.  She finished the year second in the league in batting average at .435.  She had 70 hits, 19 doubles, three triples and a pair of home runs.  She got on base 52 percent of the time and slugged .656.  She lead the conference in hits and doubles, was fourth in triples and fourth in the league with 99 total bases.

Her 19 doubles are top five in the country and were one away from the single-season school record in Carson-Newman history. 

Rinus had 19 multi-hit efforts and seven multi-RBI days.  She collected her first career four-hit day against Lenoir-Rhyne in the Eagles' home finale. 

In the circle, Rinus led the league in starts (36), complete games (25), shutouts (11), innings pitched (232.2) and strikeouts (223).  She had the fifth best batting average against in the league at .221 and the fifth best ERA in the conference at 2.12. 

Williamson led the Cobras in batting average (.454), slugging percentage (.687), hits (74), home runs (10), RBI (52), and walks (28). Her batting average, on base percentage, and hits on the season were the top marks in the SAC. The first baseman racked up accolades throughout the year, earning first-team All-SAC honors, being named to the SAC All-Tournament Team, and most recently earning NFCA Division II All-Southeast Region First-Team honors. In addition, Williamson collected SAC Player of the Week honors on Feb. 20.

Through her junior season, she ranks highly in many categories in the Coker records. Williamson is tied for fourth in home runs, fifth in runners batted in, and sixth in hits. For this season alone, she sits third in walks, eighth in hits, and ninth in RBI in Coker single season records.