HAMMOND – After helping the Southeastern Louisiana softball team earn its first Southland Conference Tournament appearance since 2008, five Lady Lions received recognition as part of the 2013 All-Southland Conference Softball Teams, which were released by the league office on Tuesday.
 
Representing Southeastern on the second team were senior outfielder Michelle Duhe and freshman outfielder Katie Lacour. Sophomore third baseman Megan Moore was a third team selection, while senior outfielder Kelsey Nichols and freshman designated player Amber Sather were honorable mention choices. The five honorees were the most for the program since six Lady Lions were All-Southland in 2002.
 
The Southeastern quintet of All-Southland Conference players were all key figures for a Lady Lion squad that finished the regular season having tied a single-season school record for victories and more than doubling last season's win total. Southeastern will open the 2013 Southland Conference Tournament with a 1:30 p.m. contest versus Sam Houston State on Thursday in Natchitoches.
 
“We're very pleased to see our five players receive deserved recognition,” Southeastern Louisiana head coach Pete Langlois said. “In Kelsey and Michelle, we have two players that were a part of a great senior class that helped lead us to the conference tournament. Megan provided us with a huge lift both at the plate and with her glove. It's been a while since we've had freshmen make all-conference and we expect Amber and Katie to be key performers we can build around as we continue to improve the program.”
 
Duhe, a Lutcher native, was named All-Southland Conference for the second straight season. An honorable mention pick a year ago, Duhe finished the regular season with a .355 batting average, while leading the team with 59 hits, 38 runs scored and five triples. Her hit total is the highest by a Lady Lion since 2007 and her run total represents the second-most in a season in school history.
 
“There's no doubt in my mind that Michelle is the best defensive centerfielder we've had here,” Langlois said. “What has turned her into an All-Southland player is her dedication to improving steadily at the plate throughout her career. Michelle and Katie were the catalysts of our lineup with their speed at the top of the order and set the table for Amber, Kelsey, Megan and (senior catcher) Katie Doyle to drive them in.”
 
Duhe's partner at the top of the lineup Lacour has used her speed to be an immediate impact performer in all facets of the game after taking over the starting job in right field early in the season. The Port St. Joe, Fla. native leads the team with a .393 batting average and five stolen bases, while also ranking among the team leaders with 25 runs and 53 hits. During the season, she set a school record by hitting safely in 16 consecutive games.
 
“Katie really impressed us in the fall and never let up during the spring,” Langlois said. “Katie is a very intelligent player with great speed who was a difference maker for us all season long. We expect her to be able to step in for Michelle as our leadoff hitter and starting centerfielder for the next three seasons.”
 
Moore makes her first All-Southland Conference appearance after her return to the lineup. The Elgin, Texas native missed all but five games of the 2012 season with an injury and came back stronger than ever. Moore is second on the team with six home runs – all coming in Southland Conference play - and nine doubles, while also ranking third on the team with 33 runs batted in. She also teams with senior shortstop Kayla Elswick, junior second baseman Megan McCollum and junior first baseman Tori Sheppard to give Southeastern its best defensive infield in recent memory.
 
“Whenever anyone asks me why we've improved so much from last year, one of the first things I say is having Megan back at third,” Langlois said. “We've always known what she could do with her glove, but this season she's become one of our best hitters. Megan's extremely talented and we expect her to be a big part of our future.”
 
Nichols was named to the All-Southland Conference team for the second time in her career, having earned second team honors as a sophomore in 2011. The Alvin, Texas product is third on the team with a .345 batting average, while leading the team with 13 doubles, 39 RBI, a .581 slugging percentage and 21 extra-base hits to go with her six home runs, 51 hits and 26 runs scored.
 
“We were pretty surprised to see Kelsey was not on one of the three teams, but we're pleased to see her contributions recognized nonetheless,” Langlois said. “Kelsey has been arguably our best hitter this year and came up clutch numerous times. Kelsey is about the right things on and off the field and we've been fortunate to have her as a member of our program for four years.”
 
Rounding out the Southeastern All-Conference contingent is Sather. In her first season with the program, the Kennedale, Texas native has become the fourth player in school history to reach double-digit home runs in a season. She leads the team with 10 home runs and 28 walks to go with 38 RBI, six doubles and a .561 slugging percentage.
 
“I've never coached a player who hits it as hard or as far as Amber,” Langlois said. “Having her power in the middle of the lineup for the next three years is a huge luxury for us. There's no doubt in my mind that she's going to break every career power record we have if she continues to work hard and improve.”
 
Sam Houston State senior outfielder Tori Benavidez was named the Player and Hitter of the Year, while Central Arkansas senior Kelsie Armstrong was selected the Pitcher of the Year. Sisters Kirsten Schwirtlich and Lauren Schwirtlich of Houston Baptist were named Freshman and Newcomer of the Year, respectively.
 
After leading McNeese State to the Southland regular season title, Cowgirl head coach Mike Smith was named the league's Coach of the Year. The All-Southland Conference Softball Teams were selected by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
 
2013 All-Southland Conference Softball Teams
 

First Team
Pos.	Name	University	Class	Hometown
1B	Brianna Rodriguez	Northwestern State	Jr.	Rowlett, Texas
2B	Melissa Bryant	Central Arkansas	Sr.	Hernando, Miss.
3B	Shelbi Tucker2	Sam Houston State	Sr.	Montgomery, Texas
SS	Elizabeth Arana2	Stephen F. Austin	Jr.	The Woodlands, Texas
C	Ashley Modzelewski2	McNeese State	So.	Sour Lake, Texas
UT	Victoria Granchelli	Houston Baptist	So.	McAllen, Texas
DP	Hillary Adams2	Sam Houston State	So.	Elgin, Texas
OF	Tori Benavidez3	Sam Houston State	Sr.	Midlothian, Texas
OF	Alanna DiVittorio2	McNeese State	Jr.	Harahan, La.
OF	Lauren Schwirtlich	Houston Baptist	Jr.	Corpus Christi, Texas
P	Kelsie Armstrong2	Central Arkansas	Sr.	Hot Springs, Ark.
P	Meagan Bond2	McNeese State	Sr.	Lumberton, Miss.
Second Team
1B	Kim Damian2	Sam Houston State	Sr.	Angleton, Texas
2B	Ashley Bertot2	Nicholls State	Sr.	League City, Texas
3B	Brittany Virgoe	Northwestern State	So.	Anaheim, Calif.
SS	Tara McKenney2	Northwestern State	Jr.	Red Oak, Texas
C	Melanie Bryant4	Central Arkansas	Sr.	Hernando, Miss.
UT	Lindsey Lyles	A&M-Corpus Christi	So.	Lufkin, Texas
DP	Emily Vincent	McNeese State	Fr.	Sulphur, La.
OF	Kirsten Schwirtlich	Houston Baptist	Fr.	Corpus Christi, Texas
OF	Michelle Duhe	Southeastern La.	Sr.	Lutcher, La.
OF	Katie Lacour	Southeastern La.	Fr.	Port St. Joe, Fla.
P	Kylie Roos	Northwestern State	Sr.	Celina, Texas
P	Kaylee Guidry	Northwestern State	Jr.	Walker, La.
Third Team
1B	Melissa Herman	Houston Baptist	So.	Katy, Texas
2B	Alyssa Coggins	Sam Houston State	Jr.	Sealy, Texas
3B	Megan Moore	Southeastern La.	So.	Elgin, Texas
SS	Tiffany Castillo	Sam Houston State	Fr.	Port Lavaca, Texas
C	Ashley Isbell2	Sam Houston State	Sr.	Katy, Texas
UT	Sarah Bigej	Central Arkansas	Fr.	Happy Valley, Ore.
DP	Cassandra Barefield	Northwestern State	So.	Houston, Texas
OF	Danielle Phillips	Nicholls State	Fr.	Resaca, Ga.
OF	Jessica Slater	Sam Houston State	So.	Katy, Texas
OF	Candyce Carter	Lamar	Jr.	Sweeny, Texas
P	Jamie Allred	McNeese State	Fr.	Hallsville, Texas
P	Haley Baros	Sam Houston State	So.	Bay City, Texas

 
² Two-time all-conference selection
³ Three-time all-conference selection
⁴ Four-time all-conference selection
           
Honorable Mention – First Base: Ashley McDowell, Lamar; Second Base: Cali Burke, Northwestern State; Third Base: Alaina Guidry, Nicholls State; Tiffany Roby, Central Arkansas; Catcher: Brittany Marcet, Nicholls State; Beverly Corry, Lamar; Cheyenne DelaGarza, Northwestern State; Utility Player: Shalie Day, Stephen F. Austin; Designated Player: Amber Sather, Southeastern Louisiana; Outfield: Kelsey Nichols, Southeastern Louisiana; Cecillia Castillo, Sam Houston State; Haley Parkerson, Nicholls State; Jenna Holland, Lamar; Pitcher: Shannon Millman, Lamar; Hannah Haydel, Nicholls State; Ashton Bennett, Nicholls State.
 
Individual Awards
Player of the Year: Tori Benavidez, Sam Houston State
Hitter of the Year: Tori Benavidez, Sam Houston State
Pitcher of the Year: Kelsie Armstrong, Central Arkansas
Freshman of the Year: Kirsten Schwirtlich, Houston Baptist
Newcomer of the Year: Lauren Schwirtlich, Houston Baptist
Coach of the Year: Mike Smith, McNeese State