By: Curtis Ford
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | The Grambling State University softball team had three student-athletes earn preseason All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) honors on Wednesday morning. The Tigers were also projected to finish second in the SWAC West Division.
Cadashia Collins and
Dacia Richards earned first team recognition, while
Erin Gibbs garnered second team honors.
Collins, a sophomore shortstop from Chattanooga, Tenn., had a breakout season and was one of the key contributors for Grambling State's offense as a true freshman. She contributed a batting average of .301 with 46 RBI, 15 doubles, one triple, one home run and 35 runs scored. Her 46 RBI ranks second in the league. Collins' 15 doubles are also the most in the conference. She was also quick on the base paths, collecting nine stolen bases.
Richard was one of the strongest pitchers in the conference this season. She amassed double-digit victories, sporting a record of 11-6 with an ERA of 3.32. Her 11 wins ranked third in the SWAC. She was also third in the conference in strikeouts, racking up 79 Ks. Richard limited opposing hitters to a .226 average, which was third-best in the SWAC.
Gibbs landed second-team honors following a stellar freshman campaign. AS a starting pitcher, she sported a 10-4 record with a 3.45 ERA. She racked up 60 strikeouts in the 86.0 innings pitched. She also tossed eight complete games.
Grambling State, led by head coach Nakeya Hall, is coming off a 2023 season that saw the Tigers reach the SWAC Championship Game. GSU had a one of its best seasons, finishing 33-22-1 overall and 15-9 in the SWAC.
The Tigers were projected to finish second in the SWAC West behind Prairie View A&M.
2024 SWAC Softball Predicted Order of Finish
SWAC East
- Alabama State- 105 points (13)
- Bethune-Cookman- 79 points (1)
- Florida A&M- 70 points (1)
- Jackson State- 68 points (1)
- Alabama A&M- 57 points (3)
- Mississippi Valley State- 20 points
SWAC West
- Prairie View A&M- 101 points (13)
- Grambling State- 82 points (2)
- Texas Southern- 68 points (1)
- Alcorn State- 66 points (3)
- Southern- 55 points
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff- 27 points
*First place votes listed in parenthesis ( )
2024 Preseason All-SWAC Softball Team and Individual Awards
Preseason Player of the Year
Kindall DeRamus, Alabama State
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Halyne Gonzalez, Bethune-Cookman
Preseason First Team
C – Biviana Figueroa, Prairie View A&M
1B – Samaria Jackson, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
2B – Jaeda Gardner, Alabama State
SS – Cadashia Collins, Grambling State
3B – Serena Herbranson, Alabama A&M
OF – Kindall DeRamus, Alabama State
OF – Mia Nunez, Prairie View A&M
OF – Alexia Denby, Alabama State
P – Halyne Gonzalez, Bethune-Cookman
P – Cailin Massey, Prairie View A&M
P – Dacia Richard, Grambling State
DP – Zahria Jones, Alabama A&M
Preseason Second Team
C – Nyah Morgan, Florida A&M
1B – N/A
2B – Kiauna Watson, Florida A&M
SS – Destinee Smith, Prairie View A&M
3B – Aerin Talley, Prairie View A&M
OF – Mari Stephens, Jackson State
OF – Kristian Edwards, Alcorn State
OF – Mia Blasingane, , Florida A&M
P – Jerrica Rojas, Prairie View A&M
P – Erin Gibbs, Grambling State
P – Lauryn Peppers, Florida A&M
DP – Essence Gibbs, Bethune-Cookman
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