Wingate’s Cunningham Named to Softball Regional All-Tourney Team

Jacksonville, Fla.----Wingate University freshman second baseman Grace Cunningham (Camden, S.C.) was named to the South Atlantic Region All-Tournament team last weekend. The Bulldogs participated in their first-ever NCAA Division II tournament, defeating number 22 Columbus State 2-1 in eight innings before dropping tough decisions to number 12 Georgia College & State University (2-0) and Armstrong Atlantic State University (2-1 in 10 innings).

Cunningham batted .375 during the South Atlantic Regional tournament, the top batting average on the team. She had a double (and later scored) in the third inning against Columbus State, giving the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead in their victory over the Cougars.

Cunningham was a second team All-South Atlantic Conference selection as a utility player. In addition, she earned South Atlantic Conference All-Tournament team honors as Wingate University won the 2003 event and earned the league's first-ever automatic bid to the NCAA Division II tournament.

In Wingate's 3-2 victory over Carson-Newman College in the SAC championship game, Cunningham was three-for-four with one RBI. She hit .400 in the SAC tourney, second only to sophomore teammate Amy Parmalee (Norwalk, Conn.) and her .455 tourney batting average.

"Grace is a true utility player who made a big difference in the outcome of our season," Wingate University head softball coach Michelle Caddigan said. "If it had not been for Grace, we would not have had the season we had. She stepped up in big game situations and did very well."
For the season, Cunningham batted .239 with four doubles and six RBI. At various times during the season, Cunningham played third base, second base, first base, outfield and pitcher. Wingate completed the 2003 campaign 34-15 overall and 11-3 in the SAC regular season. Wingate's 2003 visit to the NCAA Division II tournament was the first in school history.

2003 South Atlantic Region All-Tournament Team
Jennifer Joiner, Pitcher, GC&SU (Regional MVP)
Katya Eronina, Pitcher, AASU
Heather Jones, Catcher, GC&SU
Megan Camden, Infielder, Longwood
Nikki Reid, Infielder, CSU
Grace Cunningham, Infielder, Wingate
Jenny Alfirov, Infielder, AASU
Cathy Jester, Outfielder, UNF
Aundrea Baker, Outfielder, GC&SU
Lindsay Phillips, Outfielder, AASU
Kristen Atkinson, Designated Player, UNF
Delaney Warrian, Pitcher, AASU
Joni Frei, Outfielder, GC&SU