DANVILLE, Va. – Averett University softball juniors Carson Bradsher and Mackenzie Newcomb continued to add to their award list with Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) All-State honors on July 6. Bradsher was named to the first team at the shortstop position, while Newcomb earned second-team honors at third base.
The two added to Cougar softball lore as the 35th and 36th all-state selections in the program's history, while Bradsher became the first Averett player since Hannah Thompson in 2020 to be a first-team selection.
Bradsher, hailing from Cedar Grove, North Carolina, earned her second straight VaSID honor, moving up from the second team in 2025 following a position switch. The shortstop, previously named to the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) first team and National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) second team, slap-hit her way to the league lead in hits and was fifth in batting average. Nationally, Bradsher was in the top 20 in Division III in hits and recorded 70 total bases.
People are also reading…
Newcomb, hailing from Victoria, Virginia, debuts on the VaSID ballot, having previously been named to the All-ODAC second team and NFCA first team at the hot corner. She led the Cougars in doubles, home runs, RBIs, OPS, slugging percentage and stolen bases. Newcomb led the ODAC in doubles with 20, which was sixth nationally. Her 50 runs driven in were ranked third in the conference.
VaSID college division all-state softball awards
Player of the year: Morgan Tucker, Batten
Pitcher of the year: Hannah Hearl, Batten
Rookie of the year: Sierra Kegley, Randolph-Macon
Coach of the year: Brandon Elliott, Batten
First team
- Pitcher – Hannah Hearl, Batten
- Pitcher – Emma Adams, Batten
- Pitcher – Sierra Kegley, Randolph-Macon
- Catcher – Hannah Booth, Emory & Henry
- First base – Kaylee Atkins, Marymount
- Second base – Samantha Deitsch, Batten
- Third base – Emily Angel, Mary Washington
- Shortstop – Carson Bradsher, Averett
- Outfield – Morgan Tucker, Batten
- Outfield – Candace Slaw, Mary Washington
- Outfield – Gracie Himmelman, Marymount
- Designated player – Taylor McQueen, Batten
- Utility (non-pitcher) – Laci Campbell, Batten
- Utility (pitcher) – Cadence Rieg, Shenandoah
Second team
- Pitcher – Evelyn Rhoads, Bridgewater
- Pitcher – Mackenzie Cauthorn, Bridgewater
- Pitcher – Caroline Alger, Christopher Newport
- Catcher – Natalie Quinlan, Christopher Newport
- First base – Brooke Zuber, Christopher Newport
- Second base – Caroline Malandra, Bridgewater
- Third base – Mackenzie Newcomb, Averett
- Shortstop – Sarah Watts, Lynchburg
- Outfield – Alexah Gordon, Christopher Newport
- Outfield – Sarah Prosser, Batten
- Outfield – Heather McQueeney, Roanoke
- Designated player – Berkeley Whitten, Southern Virginia
- Utility (non-pitcher) – Sophia Badell, Southern Virginia
- Utility (pitcher) – Elisia Gonzalez-Pettis, Virginia Union
