Softball 4/24/2026 10:07:00 PM Chris Megginson

Hitter of the Year Erwin Highlights Stillman All-HBCUAC Honors

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The HBCU Athletic Conference has announced its postseason softball awards, with Stillman College well represented across major honors and all-conference selections following the 2026 season.

Leading the way, outfielder Alex Erwin was named Hitter of the Year after a standout offensive season. Entering the final week of play, Erwin held the conference's top overall batting average among players with at least 90 at-bats at .425 and currently ranks second. In conference play, she has been dominant, leading the HBCUAC in batting average (.550), at-bats (60), runs (31), hits (33), triples (3), and stolen bases (24). Overall, Erwin tops the league in runs (45), at-bats (120), hits (51), triples (5), walks (19), and stolen bases (31), cementing her status as one of the most dynamic players in the conference.

Head coach Joel Penfield earned Coach of the Year honors, marking his third such recognition in the past four seasons and his second consecutive HBCUAC award. Penfield guided Stillman to a perfect 19-0 record in conference play after opening the season with two losses on Feb. 21 against Dillard University. The Tigers also secured their second straight regular-season title and recorded their fourth consecutive 20-win season under his leadership.

Assistant coach Katie Clifton was named Assistant Coach of the Year, earning the honor for the first time in her career following a season of key contributions to Stillman's success.

Stillman placed three players on the All-HBCUAC First Team, highlighted by first baseman Avary Lumpkin, who ranked third in the conference with a .407 batting average among players with at least 90 at-bats. Lumpkin led the conference in home runs (7) and RBIs (51) while ranking third in hits (48) and second in doubles (15). Defensively, she posted a .989 fielding percentage with just three errors in 263 chances, recording a conference-best 250 putouts and helping turn seven double plays.

Outfielder Addison Nuspl also earned First Team honors after hitting .310 with 27 hits and 18 RBIs in 87 at-bats. She ranked among the conference leaders in triples (tied for fifth, 2), runs scored (sixth, 28), and stolen bases (ninth, 12). Nuspl was equally reliable in the field, totaling 48 putouts in 51 chances for a .961 fielding percentage.

Erwin added to her accolades with a First Team selection in center field, capping one of the most decorated individual seasons in the conference.

Four Tigers were named to the All-HBCUAC Second Team, beginning with pitcher Karli Crocker, who emerged as a top transfer arm. Crocker posted a 6-0 record against conference opponents with a 2.14 ERA, ranking fourth in the league, while finishing 7-5 overall with 46 strikeouts, 11 complete games, and one save.

Pitcher Jasmine Wade also earned Second Team recognition after compiling a 5-5 record with a 3.85 ERA and six complete games. Her ERA ranked among the top three in conference play.

Shortstop Lily Stone delivered a consistent offensive season, batting .328 with 38 hits in 116 at-bats. She ranked second in the conference in runs (32), third in RBIs (31), and fourth in walks (18). In conference play, Stone led the league in walks (12) while ranking second in runs (23) and fourth in RBIs (18).

Designated player Anna Sullivan rounded out Stillman's honorees, earning Second Team recognition after hitting .500 in conference play. She ranked third in total hits (29) and doubles (8) in conference games and finished among the overall conference leaders in walks, hits, and RBIs.

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Players Mentioned

#35 Katie Clifton: P/1B; Senior; R/R

#0 Avary Lumpkin: INF; Senior

#2 Alex Erwin: UT; Senior

#6 Lily Stone: C/UT; Senior

#11 Anna Sullivan: C/1B; Senior

#23 Jasmine Wade: P; Senior

#24 Karli Crocker: P; Junior

#68 Addison Nuspl: OF; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#35 Katie Clifton
: Senior; R/R
: P/1B

#0 Avary Lumpkin
: Senior
: INF

#2 Alex Erwin
: Senior
: UT

#6 Lily Stone
: Senior
: C/UT

#11 Anna Sullivan
: Senior
: C/1B

#23 Jasmine Wade
: Senior
: P

#24 Karli Crocker
: Junior
: P

#68 Addison Nuspl
: Freshman
: OF