Kayla Cox Headlines SSC Softball Awards

ORLANDO, Fla. - University of Tampa pitcher Kayla Cox claimed a major award as part of the 2013 All-Sunshine State Conference Softball Team, which was announced on Wednesday.

Barry's Sarah Broeseker was named Player of the Year, while teammate Megan Copeland was selected Freshman of the Year. Cox was tabbed Pitcher of the Year, and Saint Leo's John Conway was chosen Coach of the Year.

A total of five Spartans were honored as all-SSC selections. Joining Cox were Meagan Burke and Kayleen Boatwright as first-team choices while Stacy Piagno and Katie Bannon earned a spot on the second team.

Earning All-SSC First Team honors with Broeseker (3B), Copeland (OF), and Cox were: 1B Burke (Tampa), 2B Kelly Martinez (Barry), SS Boatwright (Tampa), C Kylee Hardesty (Saint Leo), OF McKenzie Burns (Saint Leo), OF Aimee Halpin (Rollins), OF Kristie Hoeffer (Rollins), DP Sarah Steiner (Saint Leo), UT Hannah Lovestrand (Rollins), P Niki Fogle (Rollins), and at-large selection Elaine Brown (Florida Tech).

Named to the All-SSC Second Team were: 1B Julie Brito (Barry), 2B Piagno (Tampa), 3B Rachelle Gremo (Saint Leo), SS Samira Tanaka (Nova Southeastern), C Veronica Alred (Rollins), OF Bannon (Tampa), OF Kaycie Duncan (Eckerd), OF Courtney Durbin (Rollins), OF Chelsey Steedley (Saint Leo), UT Kasey Murray (Lynn), P Alana Tabel (Saint Leo), P Alexis Yohe (Barry), and at-large selection Megan Still (Saint Leo).

Voting for the All-SSC Team was conducted among the league's softball coaches.

A junior from Riverview, Fla., Cox posted a 23-4 overall record with three saves. She was 15-2 in SSC action. Cox led all conference pitchers with a 0.45 ERA. She held opponents to a .114 batting average, tops among SSC hurlers. Cox's 293 strikeouts were 102 more than the next closest pitcher.

2013 ALL-SUNSHINE STATE CONFERENCE SOFTBALL TEAM
FIRST TEAM
1B - Meagan Burke, Tampa (So)
2B - Kelly Martinez, Barry (So)
3B - Sarah Broeseker, Barry (Sr)
SS - Kayleen Boatwright, Tampa (So)
C - Kylee Hardesty, Saint Leo (Jr)
OF - McKenzie Burns, Saint Leo (So)
OF - Megan Copeland, Barry (Fr)
OF - Aimee Halpin, Rollins (Sr)
OF - Kristie Hoeffer, Rollins (Jr)
DP - Sarah Steiner, Saint Leo (Junior)
UT - Hannah Lovestrand, Rollins (Sr)
P - Kayla Cox, Tampa (Jr)
P - Niki Fogle, Rollins (Fr)
At-Large - Elaine Brown, Florida Tech (Fr)

Player of the Year - Sarah Broeseker, Barry
Pitcher of the Year - Kayla Cox, Tampa
Freshman of the Year - Megan Copeland, Barry
Coach of the Year - John Conway, Saint Leo

SECOND TEAM
1B - Julie Brito, Barry (So)
2B - Stacy Piagno, Tampa (Sr)
3B - Rachelle Gremo, Saint Leo (Sr)
SS - Samira Tanaka, Nova Southeastern (Jr)
C - Veronica Alred, Rollins (Jr)
OF - Katie Bannon, Tampa (Sr)
OF - Kaycie Duncan, Eckerd (Fr)
OF - Courtney Durbin, Rollins (Fr)
OF - Chelsey Steedley, Saint Leo (Jr)
UT - Kasey Murray, Lynn (Jr)
P - Alana Tabel, Saint Leo (Fr)
P - Alexis Yohe, Barry (Sr)
At-Large - Megan Still, Saint Leo (Sr)