TSU's Rodriguez headlines 2018 All-SWAC Softball Awards

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Texas Southern senior pitcher Lauren Rodriguez was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference 2018 Softball Player and Pitcher of the Year as the league announced its softball postseason honors on Monday. The team was chosen via a vote among the conference's head coaches and sports information directors. 

Texas Southern's Julia Bilbao was honored as Freshman of the Year – the second year in a row a Lady Tigers player has garnered the award.

Rodriguez posted a sparkling 11-1 win-loss record for the Western division champion Lady Tigers. The senior from Houston led the league in wins and earned run average (2.14). The only SWAC pitcher to average more than a strikeout per inning, Rodriguez also ranked third in opponent batting average (.225) and notched the second-most strikeouts among conference pitchers with 79.

Bilbao hit .324 on the season for the Lady Tigers, with 23 hits and seven doubles. She drove in 15 runs and boasted a .493 slugging percentage while stealing eight bases.

Texas Southern led all teams with six All-SWAC selections. Alabama A&M and Alabama State each picked up four all-conference spots, and Alcorn State and Southern saw three players earn all-league consideration. Mississippi Valley, Prairie View, Jackson State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff each had one selection. The full team is listed below. 

PLAYER/PITCHER OF THE YEAR - Lauren Rodriguez, Texas Southern 
HITTER OF THE YEAR - Taylor Hughes, Alcorn State 
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR - Paige Taylor, Alcorn State 
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR - Julia Bilbao, Texas Southern 
COACH OF THE YEAR – Nakeya Hall, Alabama A&M 

ALL-SWAC SOFTBALL FIRST TEAM 
1B – Taylor Hughes, Alcorn State 
2B – Jocilynn Ellis, Texas Southern 
3B – Kristin Gunter, Alabama State 
SS – Tiana Sanders, Alabama A&M 
C – Kiara Suttles, Southern 
OF – Tonnay Hawkins, UAPB 
OF – Sydney Andrews, Southern 
OF – Mariah Ortiz, Alcorn State 
DP – Charlene Castro, Alabama State 
P – Lauren Rodriguez, Texas Southern 
P – Jasmin Fulmore, Texas Southern 
P – Crystal Castillo, Prairie View A&M 

ALL-SWAC SOFTBALL SECOND TEAM 
1B – Sierra Valdez, Texas Southern 
2B – Tamia-Lee Barbadillo, Alabama A&M 
3B – Ariel Smith, Alabama A&M 
SS – Dominique Tello, Texas Southern 
C – Marissa Padron, Texas Southern 
OF – Kelsey Smith, Jackson State 
OF – Kailyn Dunn, Mississippi Valley State 
OF – Amira James, Alabama State 
DP – Jazmine Dukes, Southern 
P – Justine Jean, Alabama State 
P – Winter Ridgeway, Alcorn State 
P – Lauren Hayden, Alabama A&M