RACHEL HENLEY EARNS SOUTHERN CONFERENCE CO-PITCHER OF THE WEEK

ASHEVILLE, NC -- The Southern Conference announced today that Furman freshman Rachel Henley and UNC Greensboro junior Amber Watson have been selected Co-Pitchers of the Week, while UNCG junior Penny Thompson has been selected the softball Player of the Week. The honors are for all game played through February 18.

A freshman from Kingston, TN, Henley pitched two complete-game shutouts for the Lady Paladins in her first collegiate appearances. Henley started her career with a 2-0 shutout of Georgia Tech on February 13, giving up four hits. She followed that performance with a 1-0 shutout over Charleston Southern on February 14, striking out six and giving up three hits. On the week, she pitched 14 innings, striking out six and giving up seven hits and no runs.

Watson, a junior from Mt. Airy, NC, picked up two wins for the Spartans in the first few weeks of the season. She pitched a complete game against Charlotte, striking out nine and giving up eight hits. She went on to pitch six innings of scoreless softball to give UNCG a 5-0 win over Ohio on February 17. Watson recorded three strikeouts against Ohio, and only gave up two hits. She tallied 12 strikeouts in 13 innings pitched.

Thompson, a third baseman from Franklin, NC, led UNCG to a 5-2 record to open the season. She recorded two home runs against Elon, including a three-run blast to give UNCG an 8-5 win on February 12. Thompson added a triple and homerun against Charlotte, accounting for four of the Spartans' five runs in a 5-2 win over the 49ers on February 16. Her triple was also the game-winner for UNCG. She has started the season hitting .476 (10-of-21) with 12 RBI, two doubles, one triple and four homeruns. She had three multiple hit games and two game-winning at bats.