LAURINBURG — Two juniors from the Lady Scots softball team were recognized for their hard work throughout the season as they earned all conference honors.

Katie Lighthall and Macie Gibson were the two Lady Scots to make the cut for the all-Southeastern conference team was announced earlier this week.

The Lady Scots finished the season fifth in the conference with a 3-7 SEC record and were eliminated in the first round of the SEC tournament by Pinecrest, 2-0. The team advanced to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s 4A state playoffs with their 8-13 overall record to earn the No. 31 seed and took on No. 1 Cape Fear.

The first round was as far as the Lady Scots would advance in the 4A playoffs as they were mercy ruled by Cape Fear, 10-0 in five innings. Despite the disappointing end to their season, Lighthall and Gibson were standouts for the Lady Scots this year and will return next year as seniors.

Lighthall was the starting short stop for the Lady Scots and ended the year with a team high .456 batting average. The Lady Scots junior also led the team with five stolen bases, and was their No. 2 pitcher. Lighthall will get the call most nights next season with Sarah McCall graduating before the start of next softball season.

Gibson was the starting center fielder, but did play infield when needed, for the Lady Scots and led the team with a .361 on base percentage. Gibson was the only slap hitter on the team and the second highest batting average at .343, behind Lighthall.

The Lady Pirates and Lady Raiders paced the SEC as both had five players each named to the all-conference team. Richmond saw Savannah Lampley, Grayson Way, Owen Bowers, Mackenzie Ward and Nalee Jacobs earn nods while Lumberton had Morgan Britt, Madison Canady, Kasey West, LeeAnn Nobles and Katie Kinlaw recognized.

Lumberton’s Britt was named co-Player of the Year title with fellow pitcher Jordan Blake of Pinecrest. In the circle, Britt finished second in the SEC with a 1.88 ERA while Blake finished fourth with a 2.49 ERA.

Richmond coach Wendy Wallace was named coach of the year after the Lady Raiders won the SEC regular-season title and made it to the NCHSAA 4A West regional finals.

Amber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange Lady Scots junior Katie Lighthall was one of two Scotland players to make the 2017 all-Southeastern conference softball team. Lighthall was the Lady Scots starting short stop and their No. 2 pitcher.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_IMG_0307.jpgAmber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange Lady Scots junior Katie Lighthall was one of two Scotland players to make the 2017 all-Southeastern conference softball team. Lighthall was the Lady Scots starting short stop and their No. 2 pitcher.

Amber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange Lady Scots junior Macie Gibson was one of two Scotland players to make the 2017 all-Southeastern conference softball team. Gibson was the Lady Scots starting center fielder.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_IMG_0746.jpgAmber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange Lady Scots junior Macie Gibson was one of two Scotland players to make the 2017 all-Southeastern conference softball team. Gibson was the Lady Scots starting center fielder.

By Amber Hatten

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2017 All-SEC softball team

Player of the Year

Morgan Britt, Lumberton

Jordan Blake, Pinecrest

Coach of the Year

Wendy Wallace, Richmond

All-conference team

Richmond: Savannah Lampley, Grayson Way, Owen Bowers, Mackenzie Ward, Nalee Jacobs

Lumberton: Morgan Britt, Madison Canady, Kasey West, LeeAnn Nobles, Katie Kinlaw

Hoke: Caitlin Crenshaw, Cayleigh Norton, Alexis Blackwell, Autumn Hardin

Pinecrest: Jordan Blake, Hailey Sales, Alyssa Drake, Katelyn Chisolm

Scotland: Macie Gibson, Katie Lighthall

Purnell Swett: JaiLeana Deese, Kaitlyn Hunt