VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State softball team has the honor of highlighting junior pitcher Samantha Richards and senior infielder Nikki Pennington as this week's Gulf South Conference pitcher and player of the week, announced by the league office Tuesday. 

Coming off a blazing weekend at the Gulf Shores Invitational in Gulf Shores, Ala., Richards pitched 12 innings in victories over Spring Hill College on Saturday and No. 5 North Georgia on Sunday.  She recorded 18 strikeouts, four walks, and held her opponents to only four hits and one run, including a no-hitter in VSU's 11-0 win over SHC.  The two wins for Richards gave her a 34-10 career record as a pitcher for the Blazers.

The Alpharetta, Ga., native was named GSC pitcher of the year, D2CCA South Region Player of the Year, South Region Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and earned D2CCA All-America honors. She recorded a 1.36 ERA last year along with 237 strikeouts and a 27-8 record. 

Pennington, a native of Palm Bay, Fla., had the highest batting average for the Blazers this weekend, batting at a .667 clip in 12 plate appearances.  She scored eight runs, tallied eight hits, belted two home runs, walked twice and drove in five.  Last season, Pennington led the nation in home runs with 24, and was also named GSC Player of the Year, D2CCA South Region Player of the Year, and earned D2CCA and NFCA First Team All-America honors.  She also was named a finalist for the 2021 Schutt Sports/NFCA Player of the Year.

The Blazers continue their season this weekend at the Embry-Riddle Tournament on Feb. 11-12, taking on the ERAU Eagles and the University of Tampa in a pair of double-headers Friday and Saturday.  Check back with vstateblazers.com for links to live stats for the games this weekend.