ROCK HILL, SC -- Elon, the number two seed in the 2002 McAlister's Deli Big South Conference Softball Championship, raked in league honors at the tournament's kickoff banquet Friday afternoon on the Winthrop campus.

Phoenix mentor Patti Raduenz was dubbed the Big South Coach of the Year after leading her second Elon squad to a 6-4 finish in league play and outright possession of second place in the regular season standings. The Phoenix suffered a 1-9 conference ledger last season.

Outfielder Danielle Concepcion and first baseman Pam Brock both represented Elon on the First Team All-Big South. Phoenix shortstop Jenny Gustin was tabbed to the second team while teammate Suzanne Speed was selected to the all-academic squad.

The MVP, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year and All-Conference teams are chosen by the league's head softball coaches and sports information directors at each softball-sponsoring member institution. The All-Academic team is selected by the conference's sports information directors.

The 2002 McAlister's Deli Big South Conference Softball Championship gets underway Friday at host Winthrop's softball complex in Rock Hill, SC. The six-team, double-elimination tournament will conclude Sunday with the winner earning an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. For more information, please visit www.bigsouthsports.com.

--ELON--