In recognition of an incredible career that culminated with a national championship during her senior season, Valdosta State softball’s Marti Littlefield was announced as a member of the Gulf South Conference’s Hall of Fame’s 2018 induction class Thursday.

Littlefield, who served as the starting shortstop for the Blazers during her four-year stint, will join Valdosta State legends Chris Hatcher and Tommy Thomas, who were each inducted into the prestigious GSC Hall of Fame as members of the 2014 and 2015 classes, respectively.

“What an incredible honor,” Littlefield said. “I don’t really have many words for this other than that I owe all of my appreciation to the coaching and athletic administrative staff at Valdosta State. The amount of countless hours put towards athletics, specifically from head coach Thomas Macera to his softball program, inspired me to have the relentless mindset that there was always something to get better at. Being satisfied doesn’t exist in athletics. At this point, I can’t help but wonder when the awesome coach that taught me so well will be inducted himself.”

The storied career of Littlefield resulted in three All-American seasons, and after being named the GSC Freshman of the Year in 2009, she proceeded to earn four straight first-team All-GSC honors. Furthermore, she excelled in the classroom and racked up three GSC All-Academic awards from 2010-12. Her name is scattered all throughout the GSC record books, most notably in the RBI category, where she set the all-time single season RBI record with 103 RBIs as a freshman in 2009. Littlefield used that opening season to facilitate a career that placed her second all-time in GSC history with 239 career RBIs. She also ranks among the GSC’s top five in career doubles (65, third), total career bases (525, third) and career home runs (56, fifth). Her freshman season also set a new GSC single-season home run mark in 2009, as she left the yard 25 times.

During her tenure, Littlefield led Valdosta State to four consecutive GSC championships, two NCAA Division II South Regional championships, and the program’s first and only national title in 2012. The Blazers also made an appearance in the national championship game during her 2010 sophomore season, and her teams racked up 207 wins against just 33 losses from 2009-12. She managed to accomplish all of this while simultaneously putting in more than 130 hours of community service work and earning a VSU Community Service Leader award as a junior in 2011.

“The five student-athletes in the GSC Hall of Fame Class of 2018 represent the storied history of our league and are thoroughly worthy of this honor,” GSC commissioner Matt Wilson said. “The accomplishments of these individuals have put them in elite company, and we look forward to celebrating all of their achievements on May 30.”

For more information about the Gulf South Conference induction ceremony, which is set to take place at the Hilton Pensacola Beach hotel in Pensacola, Fla., on May 30, visit www.gscsports.org. Ticket information can also be acquired at the league website or by contacting the GSC office at (205) 991-9880.