Thomas and Esparza named Horizon League Softball Players of the Week

INDIANAPOLIS - Youngstown State sophomore Haley Thomas has been named the Horizon League Softball Batter of the Week, while Butler freshman Jenny Esparza has earned Pitcher of the Week honors for the week ending April 18.

Thomas batted .550 (11-for-20) as her Penguin squad went 3-3 on the week, all in league action.  The Simi Valley, Calif., native, totaled seven runs and three RBI while also recording three multi-hit games.  Thomas finished the week with a .800 slugging percentage, connecting on three doubles and one triple.  The award marks her second weekly honor of the season (March 8) and of her career.

Esparza was a mere three batters away from perfection during her time on the mound last week as the Bulldog hurler struck out 17 of the 20 batters she faced, allowing just one base runner.  She broke Butler’s single-season wins record by recording her 15^th and 16^th victory last week against Detroit.  The previous mark of 15 was set by Sarah Unrue in 1998.  Esparza helped the Bulldogs extend their school-record for wins in a single season to 34.  The freshman takes home her third career weekly accolade.

2010 Horizon League Softball Batters of the Week

Feb. 15:            Kelsey Phalen, So., Valparaiso
Feb. 22:            Tess Sito, Fr., Cleveland State
March 1:            Jordan Rutkowski, So., Valparaiso
March 8:            Haley Thomas, So., Youngstown State
March 15:           Lisa DeBruzzi, Jr., Valparaiso
March 22:           Melinda Macias, So., UIC
March 29:           Jamie Perkins, Sr., Wright State
April 5:              Sadie Conner, Jr., Valparaiso
April 12:            Meaghan Sullivan, Fr., Butler
April 19:            Haley Thomas, So., Youngstown State

2010 Horizon League Softball Pitchers of the Week

Feb. 15:            Shaleigh Jansen, So., Valparaiso
Feb. 22:            Jenny Esparza, Fr., Butler
March 1:            Amanda Macenko, Sr., Cleveland State
March 8:           Alex Lagesse, So., Valparaiso
March 15:          Jenny Esparza, Fr., Butler
March 22:          Amanda Macenko, Sr., Cleveland State
March 29:          Alex Lagesse, So., Valparaiso
April 5:             Alex Lagesse, So., Valparaiso
April 12:            Amanda Macenko, Sr. Cleveland State
April 19:            Jenny Esparza, Fr., Butler