Gwinnett Daily Post

The face of Georgetown University's fledgling fastpitch softball program is also a young one.

Collins Hill grad Samantha Peters, just a sophomore, capped her season with a selection as the NCAA Division I Softball All-Independent Player of the Year. Her outstanding individual season led Georgetown to a school-record 21 wins in just its third season of existence.

Peters led independent softball teams in home runs (16), which ranked in the top 16 nationally. She also had 50 RBIs, a .743 slugging percentage and 46 runs. With a .380 batting average, she won the independent schools' triple crown.

"She's a coach's dream and a true five-tool player," Georgetown coach Pat Conlan said. "She can hit for average and power, has a terrific glove, a rocket for an arm and excellent speed, however her most important asset is her work ethic and attitude. She never strives for anything but the best and is the type of impact player that when she steps on the field she makes everyone else around her better."

Peters started all 53 games for Georgetown last season as a freshman, hitting .327 with four homers and 30 RBIs. She led the Hoyas in eight offensive categories last year.

BASEBALL

Side shines in Class A return

Former South Gwinnett and Georgia standout Joey Side had two hits in his opening game with Visalia of the Class A California League after missing the first seven weeks of the minor league season.

The outfielder had been in Arizona rehabing an abdominal strain that sidelined him during spring training.

A sixth-round draft choice of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2006, Side hit .291 last season with South Bend in the Class A Midwest League and was a starter in the all-star game.

Side, 24, was 5-for-12 with a double and two RBIs in his first three games with Visalia before going hitless in his next two contests.

TRACK AND FIELD

Nabors, Thornton are All-Americans

Union College teammates Johnnie Nabors and Andre Thornton each ran to All-American honors at the NAIA Outdoor National Championships.

Nabors, a Meadowcreek grad, placed fifth in the 100-meter run final with a time of 10.55 seconds.

Thornton, a South Gwinnett grad, ran the 400 in 47.32 seconds, placing third.

The two runners are the second and third outdoor All-Americans in Union's history.

Addy gets academic honor

Norcross grad Jangy Addy, the SEC decathlon champion for Tennessee this spring, was named the conference's SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for men's track and field.

Addy maintains a 3.56 GPA with a major in journalism and electronic media.

Gwinnett Grads is a column that runs on Saturdays spotlighting the achievements of past Gwinnett standouts. Coaches and parents are urged to send suggestions via e-mail to will.hammock@gwinnettdailypost.com or via fax to 770-339-8081.