July 29, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Gamecock rising senior Ashton Payne and her Virginia Legends 23U team claimed the 2008 Amateur Softball Association of America national championship in the tournament held in Auburn, Ala.

Payne hit .531 (17-for-32) during the event, winning the batting crown while claiming all-tournament honors along with seven of her teammates. Payne was Carolina's top hitter last season and earned a spot on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America second team.

For the Legends, they won their third title in a row and fourth in six years in the event.