Louisburg College softball had players who garnered much attention over the course of the spring. The Hurricanes had 8 all-region players, 5 all-americans, and the Diamond Sports/NFCA National Catcher of the Year.

Kennedy Byrd was a NFCA NJCAA Division II first team all-American. She was first team all-Region, including being named the Region X Division II Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year. 

According to head coach Eric Lee, "Roo's desire above all else is to win softball games and she willed us to do exactly that all year long in spite of every obstacle we faced. In the circle she threw 2 games out of 3 in every region series all year long."

In the regular season, the 5'9 sophomore from Benson, NC pitched 171.1 innings and her 29-1 record led the country. She was 5th in the nation with a 1.39 ERA, struck out 170 batters (15th in nation), and had a 0.99 WHIP (10th in nation).

Coach Lee continued, "If her presence in the circle was not enough, she anchored the middle of our lineup and instilled a fear in our opponents that allowed her teammates to show just how good they are as she led the nation in walks."

In the regular season Byrd hit .356 with 20 home runs (13th in the nation), and 51 RBI. She led the nation in walks with 60. She had an .553 on base percentage, including 34 extra base hits, and scored 68 runs.

The next award-getter was Edi Austin. Austin was the Hurricanes third baseman for the past two seasons. In her sophomore year she was honored as 1st team all-Region X and 1st team all-American.

The 5'7 sophomore from Asheboro, NC hit .344 in the regular season, with a .410 on base percentage, and scored 64 runs. She was 5th in the nation with 24 home runs and led the team in runs batted in (62), extra base hits (38), and stolen bases (26).

"Edi Austin is the total package that any coach would look for in a third baseman," commented Coach Lee. "She is an elite defender with plus arm talent that hits for power and drives in a ton of runs. Our unknown x-factor that Edi brings to the table is her ability to make the short game obsolete for our opponents."

Hurricanes catcher Taylor McQueen was voted 1st team all-Region X and 1st team all-American. She was also named Diamond Sports/NFCA National Catcher of the Year.

The 5'6 sophomore from Clayton, NC hit .360 with 13 home runs and 47 RBI. She walked 29 times, accumulated a .486 on base percentage, and went on to score 58 runs. Behind the plate in the regular season McQueen only allowed 2 stolen bases all year.

According to Coach Lee, "Taylor is the best defensive catcher I have ever coached. Her ability to completely neutralize our opponents run game can't be overstated. She's a patient and disciplined hitter who can hit for power, average, and drive in runs."

Another honoree was Designated Player Darrah Nickens. Nickens tore her ACL, causing her to miss 23 games in the middle of the season, but was still able to put up the numbers to be named 1st team all-Region X and 1st team all-American.

The 5'7 sophomore from Manassass, Va led the team in batting average at the end of the regular season (.489). Nickens had a .574 on base percentage including 29 extra base hits, 17 home runs, and had 45 runs batted in.

Coach Lee reflected, "In spite of Darrah's injury, she maintained her ability to be one of the most feared hitters in our lineup. I'm proud of her for staying the course and doing everything that she could to get healthy enough to help our team win."

Kassidy Mills also was selected as NFCA all-Region and 2nd team all-American.

The 6'0 freshman from Garner, NC hit .364 in the regular season with 13 home runs and 44 RBI. She had a .412 on base percentage, 25 extra base hits, and scored 36 runs.

Coach Lee reflected, "After missing the entire fall [season] with an injury, Kassidy [Mills] was still able to have the major impact we expected."

Next to be awarded for the Hurricanes was outfielder Ashton Spiker. She was named 1st team all-Region X.

The 5'9 freshman from Front Royal, Va hit .321 with 7 home runs and 23 RBI. Spike had 20 extra base hits, a .408 on base percentage, and scored 33 runs in the regular season for the Hurricanes.

"Ashton came in and was the anchor in CF for an outfield that was completely rebuilt from 2023," said Coach Lee. "We were really high on her coming out of high school and she delivered for us in a big way."

Jillian Brunton was another Hurricane to receive votes. She was honored as a 2nd team all-Region X utility player.

The 5'7 freshman from Edinburg, Va hit .330 with 13 home runs, and 37 RBI. She had 21 extra base hits and 29 walks leading to a .488 on base percentage and 37 runs scored.

"Jill was 'Captain Clutch'," said Coach Lee. "If we get in a tight spot I trust her to compete at the highest level."

Brunton was a true utility player this season as she played two positions this season that she has never played before. Arriving to Louisburg as a shortstop and third baseman, Brunton found a new home at first base and designated player to fill needed roles for the Hurricanes.

Coach Lee commented, "She was willing to do whatever it took to help the team win. She used her strengths to accept new roles and be excited about those roles."

Sophomore Kasey Lee was voted 2nd team all-Region X. 

The 5'5 outfielder from Midland, NC hit .300 with 5 home runs, and 31 RBI in the regular season. She had 15 extra base hits, 26 walks, and scored 32 runs.

Coach Lee praised his left fielder saying, "She was a model of consistency showing up everyday and putting in the work. The numbers haven't always reflected her value to us, but I'm glad that by the end of this season they did because she has earned the recognition she has received."

Lastly, Coach Eric Lee was voted Region X coach of the year as the Hurricanes had another 50 win season. Since he took over in 2018 the Hurricanes have boosted a 295-48 record. This season they won the Region X Regular Season and Region X Tournament before sweeping the Atlantic District Series from Mercer County (NJ) and eventually finishing tied for 5th at the NJCAA Division II World Series.