Stillman, Dillard, Huston-Tillotson gain Week 11 HBCUAC Softball Awards

NEW ORLEANS - Stillman College outfielder Alex Erwin wins Historically Black Colleges and Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) Softball Player of the Week. Karli Crocker takes home Newcomer of the Week. Dillard University pitcher Mary-Elizabeth Landry garners Pitcher of the Week. Huston-Tillotson University second baseman Alexis Gaona earns Freshman of the Week. They were recognized for their performance between April 6-12, the conference announced on Monday.

Erwin went 9-for-11 leading the Tigers to their fifth consecutive HBCUAC sweep over Talladega College on Saturday and Sunday. She scored eight runs and brought home four. Three of her hits went for extra bases with two doubles and a home run. Erwin stole five bases and posted a 1.273 slugging percentage. 

Landry dominated Rust College in the circle. She threw a no-hitter in the series opener, only allowing a walk and striking out 13 batters. In the finale, she threw a perfect game and struck out 10 batters. Landry leads the conference with a 3.79 ERA and ranks second in wins and strikeouts.

Gaona went 5-for-11 with four runs and three RBI in four games. She was a home run shy of the cycle in the second game of the series. 

Crocker closed out the series against Talladega with a three-hit shutout. She struck out six batters to help the Tigers complete the sweep and remain tied with Dillard for first in the HBCUAC. Crocker ranks in the top five in ERA, wins, strikeouts and saves.

Additional softball weekly nominees: Alayali Alaniz (Huston-Tillotson), Jessica Battiste (Dillard), T'era Garrett (Wiley), Denae Hernandez (Huston-Tillotson), Jordan Howard (Oakwood), Ma'Kiya Miles (Wiley), Emma Newby (Oakwood), JaLeah Orr (Stillman), Marleigh Robinson (Huston-Tillotson), Ja'Lise Stewart (Dillard)

2026 HBCUAC Softball Players of the Week

About the HBCU Athletic Conference
The HBCU Athletic Conference (HBCUAC) is the only HBCU conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The HBCUAC membership includes Dillard University (LA), Fisk University (TN), Huston-Tillotson University (TX), Oakwood University (AL), Paul Quinn College (TX), Philander Smith University (AR), Rust College (MS), Southern University at New Orleans (LA), Stillman College (AL), Talladega College (AL), Tougaloo College (MS), University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Voorhees University (SC), Wilberforce University (OH), and Wiley University (TX). HBCUAC sponsors championships in men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's track and field, women's volleyball, softball, and baseball. In 2022, the HBCUAC secured the largest media rights deal in conference and NAIA history, signing a multimillion-dollar deal with Urban Edge Network. On July 1, 2024, the conference rebranded from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC) to the HBCU Athletic Conference, marking a new era for the conference that embodies the makeup of its membership. For more information, visit hbcuac.org.