Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina junior second baseman Lily Bell capped off another impressive season on Sunday, earning 2026 Southern Conference All-Tournament team honors as announced by the league following the conclusion of the championship game. Bell was selected as part of the 10-player honorary squad for efforts during the tournament in Chattanooga, Tenn.

WCU's middle infielder was joined by a quartet of players from tournament champion UNC Greensboro, as Avery Bouquin, Laney Deane, Macy Michael, and the Most Outstanding Performer, Brooklyn Shroyer. Runner-up Samford put Katie Hart, Olivia Shaw, and Makinley Turner on the team, joined by Chattanooga's Baileigh Pitts and Taylor Long.

Bell's all-tournament team selection is her second all-time and the first for the Catamounts since 2024, when she, along with Jeralynn Wells and Tessa Juett, were recognized by the league. A combined 13 Catamounts have earned the postseason tournament honor dating back to 2007.

Days after being named to the second-team All-SoCon, Bell went 5-for-9 (.556) with a pair of runs scored. She also drew a walk and stole a base over three contests at Frost Stadium in the weather-altered postseason tournament. In Friday's elimination game against Chattanooga, Bell broke her own single-season school record with 79 seasonal base hits, while her two runs matched the program's seasonal record with 53 runs scored on the year.

Regular-season champion UNCG won the tournament title, winning three games in three days, including a 4-0 victory over Samford in Sunday's finale. The Spartans were selected to the Athens, Ga., regional and will face No. 6 Clemson on Friday.

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