Valparaiso and UIC Garner Softball Athletes of the Week

Valparaiso sophomore Sara Strickland has been named the Horizon League Softball Batter of the Week, while UIC sophomore Ashley Hewett has earned Pitcher of the Week honors for the week ending May 2.

Strickland hit safely in all six of Valparaiso's games last week, compiling a .571 batting average (12-for-21).  The Phoenix, Ariz., native slugged 1.000, hitting two doubles, two triples and one homerun.  She had four multi-hit game performances and tallied a run in each contest, 11 on the week, extending her run-scoring streak to 10 games.  Strickland now owns Valpo's single-season hits (63) and total bases (93) records.

Hewett turned in a 3-0 mark this week as the sophomore struck out 24 batters in just 18.1 innings of work.  She gave up a mere three earned runs and eight hits combined in one game against Loyola and two versus Detroit.  In facing the Ramblers, Hewett pitched a complete-game shutout to split the series with Loyola and in game two on Friday against Detroit she fanned 12 Titan batters, matching a career high.

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
April 26:            Jenna Grim, Jr., Loyola
May 3:              Sara Strickland, So., Valparaiso

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
April 26:            Amanda Macenko, Sr., Cleveland State
May 3:              Ashley Hewett, So., UIC