BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The first decade of the 21st century concluded with Valdosta State’s first ever appearance in the NCAA National Championship game, a sign of the success VSU softball has enjoyed throughout the decade. The Gulf South Conference chose to honor eight Lady Blazers, the most from any team in the GSC East, for their achievements over that time span.

While Alabama-Huntsville took team of the decade honors, and placed five players on the All-Decade first team, VSU had the highest total number of players with four on the first team and four on the second team.

Robin Williams (2005-08), Alex Acosta (2007-08), Alyssa Shirey (2009-10) and Lindsey Ellingsworth (2001-02) represented VSU on the first team while Kristina Ely (2007-08), Marti Littlefield (2009-), Ryann Ellingsworth (2002-03) and Brianna Collis (2006-09) filled out the second team.

Despite being known for their power at the plate in recent history, the Lady Blazers took two of the six available pitching awards on the All-Decade Team. Lindsey Ellingsworth was an All-American in 2002 and tallied 29 wins and 267 strikeouts in two seasons at VSU. Meanwhile, second team pitcher Collis, was the 2007 GSC Co-Pitcher of the Year and finished her four seasons at VSU with a 49-8 record with 300 strikeouts.

The other three VSU first teamers all played under current Head Coach Thomas Macera, which means they can hit. In fact, Williams, the first baseman of the decade, finished her career second in the Gulf South Conference in home runs and has yet to be passed up. She was also an All-American in 2008 and a three-time All-Conference player. Williams also holds school records for home runs in a career (53), walks in a season (45-2008), walks in a career (120) and RBIs in a career (170).

Acosta, a shortstop, dominated in two seasons at VSU. She was twice named the GSC East Player of the Year and was an All-American in both seasons. In her first season at VSU, Acosta broke the record for RBIs in a season with 61, then set the mark again in her second season with 64, a record that stood until second teamer Littlefield broke it in 2009 with an eye-popping 103 RBIs. Acosta finished her career with a .369 batting average, 25 home runs, 26 doubles and 125 RBIs.

Shirey, a member of this season’s squad, spent most of her senior season catching, but alternated between outfield and catcher spots in her first season at VSU. She made the All-Decade Team as an outfielder after earning a GSC East Player of the Year award this season. She is a two-time All-American and was named to the NCAA All-National Tournament Team. In just two seasons, Shirey put up 37 home runs, 125 RBIs, 23 doubles and finished with a .412 batting percentage.

Ely made the second team as a second baseman. She was an All-American her senior season and a two-time All-Conference performer. She broke the VSU record for home runs in a season with 19 in 2008, which only lasted one season before Littlefield stole that record too with 25 homers her freshman year. Ely put up 76 RBIs in two seasons and finished her VSU career with a .372 on-base percentage.

Littlefield teamed with Acosta to make it a VSU sweep at the shortstop position on the first and second team. Littlefield, a junior in 2011, is one of the few players of any sports who has a legitimate chance to be named to consecutive All-Decade Teams. She already owns VSU and GSC records in home runs (25), RBIs (103), and slugging percentage (.905). She was named GSC East Freshman of the Year in 2009 as well as an All-American. In two seasons, she has put up astounding numbers including a .383 batting average, 42 home runs, 154 RBIs, .802 slugging percentage and 31 doubles in 125 games.

Rounding out the VSU All-Decade performers is Lindsey Ellingsworth’s little sister Ryann. As a designated player, Ellingsworth was a two-time All-GSC East performer, finishing her career with a .431 batting average. In 2002, Ryann led the GSC in hits. She put up 82 RBIs, 174 hits and 102 runs in two seasons.

With a past like that, Valdosta State is only looking to build upon its successful history in the coming decade.