BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In the seventh set of the 2026 Gulf South Conference Softball Weekly Awards presented by Athletic Solutions, AUM’s Karris Rhine (player), Montevallo’s Taylor Lloyd (pitcher), and Valdosta State’s Giselle Portanova (freshman) were recognized following their performances during the week of March 9-15.
GSC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Karris Rhine, OF, Jr., AUM
Rhine helped the Warhawks to a 5-0 week, as she posted a .429 batting average , slugged 1.071, and had a .529 on-base percentage. The junior’s weekly numbers also included six hits, three home runs, seven RBI, seven runs scored, three walks, and two stolen bases. Rhine produced six RBI and scored five times, while going 3-for-9 at the plate, to help AUM sweep its three-game GSC series with Christian Brothers, which included a 2-for-3, three RBI, two home run showing in finale.
Other nominees: Brittany Slaten, UAH; Bentlee Stiner, Montevallo; Courtney Marler, Union; Madison Vanillin, Valdosta State; Trinity Hatcher, West Alabama; Bella Holiday, West Florida
GSC PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Taylor Lloyd, Sr., Montevallo
After recording a pair of complete-game wins at West Alabama last weekend, Lloyd improved 15-2 on the season. The senior tossed 16 strikeouts in 14 innings of work. She posted a 2.00 ERA, allowing four earned runs, five total, on 11 hits while facing 57 batters. Following Friday’s contest, Lloyd became Montevallo’s career strikeout leader as he six strikeouts on the day pushed her all-time total to 424.
Other nominees: Katie Bracken, UAH; Reese Cauley, AUM; Reagan Rios, MC; Riley Vaughan, Union; Giselle Portanova, Valdosta State; Megan Roe, West Alabama
GSC FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Giselle Portanova, P, Valdosta State
Portanova went 2-0 in the circle and helped the Blazers to 4-1 week. In two starts, the rookie pitched 12 innings, allowing ten hits, six earned runs, walked two and fanned six with a 3.50 ERA. She began the week with complete-game showing in a 5-3 win over Columbus State in mid-week action. Portanova then tossed five innings in the GSC series opener against Delta State and improved to 3-2 on the season following an 8-3 win.
Other nominees: Allie Yeary, UAH; Gabbi Barnowsky, AUM; Eva Armstrong, Lee; Taylor Rogers, Montevallo; Bella Lopez, Union
2026 GSC Softball Weekly Awards
Player of the Week
Feb. 3: Hannah Harper, West Florida
Feb. 10: Shay Hollingsworth, Trevecca Nazarene
Feb. 17: Becca Benton, Montevallo
Feb. 24: Chloe Eichelberger, Valdosta State
Mar. 3: Chloe Baynes, AUM
Mar. 10: Taylor Rogers, Montevallo
Mar. 17: Karris Rhine, AUM
Pitcher of the Week
Feb. 3: Camryn Bailey, Mississippi College
Feb. 10: Megan Shurtz, UAH
Feb. 17: Taylor Lloyd, Montevallo
Feb. 24: Megan Shurtz, UAH
Mar. 3: Eleanor De Block, West Alabama
Mar. 10: Reese Cauley, AUM
Mar. 17: Taylor Lloyd, Montevallo
Freshman of the Week
Feb. 3: Kylie Ballentine, UAH
Feb. 10: Bailey Goad, Trevecca Nazarene
Feb. 17: Taylor Rogers, Montevallo
Feb. 24: Sydney Scott, Union
Mar. 3: Kayla Morris, West Alabama
Mar. 10: Taylor Rogers, Montevallo
Mar. 17: Giselle Portanova, Valdosta State