Edythe Bradley 04/22/10
The
Albany State University Lady Rams dominated the 2010 Southern
Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Softball All-Conference Team for
their outstanding performances during the 2010 season. The Lady Rams
lead the way with six all-conference selections, including five players
earning first team honors. 
The
All-SIAC team was selected by the league's head softball coaches and
announced during the SIAC's Softball Championship Tournament, currently
underway at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus, Ga. Keandrea
Kegler, Sasha Reece, Ashia Merideth, Deanna Birdsong and Dominique
Bryant were named to the first team, and Ta'Shelya Bynum
received
second team honors. "I am extremely proud of these young ladies and their accomplishments throughout this season and in tournament play. They are all outstanding players," said head coach Robert Skinner. "We just have to stay focused on our goal this week ... to bring the championship back to Albany State." Selected as the SIAC's best second baseman, Birdsong, a senior from Jonesboro, Ga., posted a .419 batting average and led the team with 75 hits, including four homeruns.
She also scored a team high of 55 runs and drove in 36 this season. Bryant, a freshman outfielder from Albany, Ga., hit .343 on the season and recorded 47 hits with 27 RBI. She scored 52 runs, including four homers. She was also named to the 2010 SIAC Crossover All-Tournament Team earlier this season. Also from Albany, Ga., Kegler, a senior first baseman, batted .321 with 18 hits and 10 RBI. She scored 10 runs during the season.
The league's best starting pitcher, Reece, a senior from Ocala, Fla., posted a 10-7 record, including one shutout. She struck out 49 batters in 101 innings on the mound for a 3.66 earned run average. Merideth, selected as the top relief pitcher in the conference, is a senior from Greenville, N.C., went 8-10, including two shutouts in 140 innings pitched. She struck out 72 batters for a 3.34 ERA.
Second team selection at shortstop position, Bynun is a senior from Albany, Ga. She batted .392 with 58 hits, including four homeruns; scored 34 runs and batted in 50 during the season. Birdsong, Kegler and Bynum led the Lady Rams to the 2008 SIAC championship title and a second-place finish in 2009.
The Lady Rams, who entered the tournament as the number one team in the East Division, are favored to win the 2010 championship title. The championship game is slated for Saturday, April 24, at 12 p.m. The winner will represent the SIAC in the South Region tournament in May.