May 14, 2008

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Junior Ashton Payne earned second-team National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Southeast Region accolades, the organization released today.

Payne finished the season leading the team in six major offensive categories, including doubles (7), triples (6) and batting average (.348). She ranked second on the squad with a .468 slugging percentage and a .372 on-base percentage. The Richmond, Va., native is tied for fourth all-time with 12 career three-baggers and stands ninth with 31 career stolen bases. Payne earned her spot as a utility player, making 29 starts at second base, 14 starts in left field and two more in right.

Earlier this year, Payne picked up a spot on the SEC Softball Community Service Team and the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III first team. Payne is Carolina's first all-region selection since Jessica Josker picked up the honors in 2005.

Florida led the way with four first-team selections and one second-team member. North Carolina had three first-team honorees and one second-team player.

NFCA 2008 Southeast All Region Team

First Team
P Stacey Nelson, Florida
P Lisa Norris, North Carolina
P Allison Kime, UCF
C Catherine Lee, Georgia State
1B Ali Gardiner, Florida
2B Aja Paculba, Florida
3B Cheyenne Jenks, Florida Gulf Coast
SS Shanna Smith, North Carolina State
OF Carmen Paez, Florida Gulf Coast
OF Francesca Enea, Florida
OF Lisa Kingsmore, Winthrop
UT/Pitcher Danielle Spaulding, North Carolina
UT/Non Pitcher Jennifer Jacobs, North Carolina

Second Team
P Cari Wooldridge, Winthrop
P Morgan Childers, USC Upstate
P Amanda Lindsay, Stetson
P Ashley Taylor, Radford
P Amanda Black, Hampton
C Alyssa Allbritten, North Carolina State
1B Andrea Migliori, Stetson
2B Cassandra Palmer, North Carolina
3B Alisa Goler, Georgia
3B Robyne Siliga, Georgia Southern
SS Aileen Morales, Georgia Tech
OF Breanna Brown, North Carolina
OF Kim Waleszonia, Florida
OF Courtney Quinn, Campbell
OF Courtney Young, Howard
UT/Pitcher Jessica Cross, Kennesaw State
UT/Non Pitcher Ashton Payne, South Carolina