Willis Earns D2CCA Honors

2018 May 15

Natalie Willis of Lexington, SC has been named to the 2018 Division II Conference Commissioners Association Softball All-Southeast Region teams. The D2CCA divides the All-Region teams into two, with 14 student-athletes from nine different institutions nabbing First Team honors.

Willis and Simonds represent Newberry College from the South Atlantic Conference softball players selected for the All-Southeast Region. On the First Team Simonds is accompanied by Ty-Kella Goins (Lincoln Memorial), Erin Boone (Lenoir-Rhyne), Lacie Rinus (Carson-Newman), Abby Fiessinger (Carson-Newman), and Emily Kenley (Lenoir-Rhyne). On the Second Team with Willis is Cailah Niles (Anderson), Maria Williamson (Coker), Delaney Guerrero (Tusculum), Aubrey Reep (Wingate), Kelsie Hocutt (Lincoln Memorial), and Christine Carver (Coker).

This is the second consecutive season that both have been a part of the D2CCA All-Southeast Region Teams. Simonds has been selected at the designated player spot on the First Team for a second time. Willis shifted over to play shortstop this season but was honored as a member of the Second Time last season as a second baseman.

Simonds ended her sophomore season playing in all but two contests for the Wolves. She found herself in the batter's box 128 times, scored 17 runs, 53 hits, 15 doubles, two triples, six home runs, and 58 runs batted in. Her batting average is currently .414 with a slugging percentage of .703.

She also appeared on the mound for Newberry 11 times this season for a total of 16 innings. Simonds was a vital part of three shutouts and collected two saves on the year.

Willis' junior campaign saw her play in all 48 contests for the Wolves. Through her 160 at bats she scored 47 runs, nabbed 65 hits, seven doubles, four triples, six home runs, and 34 RBIs. She ended the season with a slugging percentage of .613, fielding percentage of .978, on base percentage of .433, and 129 total assists. She attempted 13 stolen bases and was perfect on the year. For a total of 21 multiple hit games she has eight multiple RBI games to add.