SOFTBALL PLACES SIX ON THE REGION X ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

BURLINGTON, N.C. (May 6, 2016) — The Richard Bland softball team, seeded No. 2 in this weekend's Region X Conference Tournament, placed six players on the Region X All-Conference Team, as selected in voting by the conference coaches. Five of those honorees landed on the First-Team.

Freshman pitcher Shannon Buffington was one of two players selected to the First-Team. Sophomore utility player Hannah Barnes was among just two players tabbed as First-Team selections from that category. Sophomore's Whitney Clements and Kim Ellis were both selected as two of the conference's five First-Team infield honorees, while sophomore Amanda Archer comprised a group of four First-Team players patrolling the outfield. Sophomore Abby Eicrhelberger was a Second-Team outfield selection. 

Buffington, from Virginia Beach, VA., was the ace of RBC's staff this year, compiling a 15-8 record in 134.2 innings in the circle. She sported a 2.70 earned run average with 45 strikeouts in 29 appearances. She started 20 games and had complete efforts in 13 of them. Buffington compiled a 9-2 record in conference play, lowering her earned run average to 2.16.

From the leadoff spot, Barnes, from Emporia, VA., hit .364, second best on the team. She led the Statesmen in hits (49), triples (5), doubles (10) and slugging percentage (.519). Her 21 runs batted tied her for second best on the team. Barnes had at least one hit in 32 of 36 games and earned two or more hits in 11 contests. 

Clements, from Prince George, VA., led the Statesmen in hitting with a .414 average, raising her average more than 50 points in the final three weeks of the season. She cracked five doubles and three triples on the season and had a .485 on base percentage, best on the team. She had 14 games with two or more hits. 

Ellis, from Chesterfield, VA., was the RBC spark plug at second base, earning a solid .297 batting behind Barnes in the lineup. She laced two triples with 18 RBI and eight stolen bases. A top shelf defensive player, Ellis had a .931 fielding percentage, second best on the team among the regulars. 

Archer, from Amelia, VA., was one of the RBC's most dangerous hitters, bombing a team-best three home runs. She hit .281 with 12 RBI, and in 89 plate appearances struck out only twice. 

The speedy Eichelberger, from Newport News, was a threat on the base paths with six steals. An efficient hitter, she batted .353 with nine RBI.