Spartanburg, S.C. - The Southern Conference announced today the results of its year-end balloting for softball. Wofford was represented well with six total Terriers earning some form of recognition, highlighted by the duo of Margaret Axelson and Hope Ingle on the first-team. Abby Greenwood garnered second-team honors following her stellar campaign. The three newcomers of Rivers Sampson, Brianna Stanley and Natalya Salo all received All-Freshman Team selections. The league's year-end awards were chosen by the league's coaches. The coaches were not allowed to vote for themselves or their own players.
"We are really excited to see six of our players honored by the Southern Conference and its coaches," said head coach Chelsea Butler, "This is a great honor for our young team, and we are excited to build on this solid foundation."
Wofford's three all-freshman honorees match the same number as last year and leads the Southern Conference. The Terriers also boast being the only team in the SoCon to have three pitchers (Axelson, Greenwood and Salo) to be recognized. The six total players honored are the most in program history and tied with UNCG and Samford for the most among the league's schools this season.
Margaret Axelson, a native of Atlanta, Ga., earned her second All-SoCon First Team selection in her career at Wofford. The undisputed ace of the team, Axelson improved on her impressive 2024 breakout year with a 1.95 ERA and a 14-8 record. Axelson started 23 games for the Terriers with 18 complete games, four of which were shutouts, on 86 strikeouts. Axelson pitched 147 innings which ranked 47th in the nation in total innings, and her WHIP of 1.09 also ranked 47th in nation.
Hope Ingle, a native of Soddy-Daisy Tenn., received her first career All-SoCon selection with a first-team selection in the catcher role. The senior hit .288 with a .500 slugging percentage (which leads Wofford) and a .385 on-base percentage. Ingle's 35 RBIs, nine doubles and eight home runs all led the team. A very patient hitter, Ingle forced 25 free passes this season, which is most on the team.
Abby Greenwood, native of King George, Va., earned All-SoCon Second Team honors following an all-freshman team nod the previous season. The sophomore tossed 109 innings with a 9-5 record and a 2.18 ERA in those starts. Greenwood was the Terriers' strikeout leader with 102 strikeouts and is the first Terrier pitcher to eclipse the 100+ strikeout mark in a season in program history. Greenwood leads the SoCon in strikeout-to-walk ratio and ranks 31st with a 4.08.
Wofford rookie pitcher Natalya Salo, native of Indian Trail, N.C., completes her first season with a 2.35 ERA on 19 appearances for the Terriers en route to a All-Freshman Team selection. She went 6-6 with six complete games and two saves on 89 innings pitched. The freshman also tallied 66 strikeouts, the most by a freshman in the SoCon this year. Salo also had a 1.18 WHIP, which was fourth in the conference.
Rivers Sampson, a native of Monroe, Ga., played all 50 games for the Terriers batting .299 with 49 hits and 24 RBIs to also be named to the All-Freshman Team. Sampson also hit seven doubles with one triple and one home run in her freshman season as well as hitting two walk-offs this season.
Brianna Stanley, native of Boiling Springs, S.C., earned All-Freshman Team recognition for her impressive season, batting .329 with a .490 slugging percentage and a .401 on-base percentage. Stanley was one of Wofford's most dangerous bats all year long driving in 30 RBIs and smacking seven home runs in 50 games played. The freshman has also showed signs of being patient, receiving 19 walks this season.
With a 30-20 overall record, the Terriers have secured their first ever 30-win season in program history. Wofford's 11-8 SoCon clip marks the second straight season with at least a .500 mark in league play. The Terriers enter the upcoming Southern Conference Championship as the No. 4 seed, opening against the winner of No. 8 Furman and No.5 seed Mercer on Wednesday, May 4, at 4:00 p.m. The tournament will be hosted by Wofford at Hope Field.
