Youngstown State and Valparaiso garner weekly softball accolades

INDIANAPOLIS - Youngstown State sophomore Haley Thomas has been named the Horizon League Softball Batter of the Week, while Valparaiso sophomore Alex Lagesse has earned Pitcher of the Week honors for the week ending March 7.

Thomas went 7-for-13 (.538) on the week and recorded four triples in four games.  In the Penguins’ 12-0 rout over South Carolina State last Friday, Thomas tallied four hits, including two triples.  She slugged at a 1.231 percentage and owned a .625 on-base percentage as YSU went 2-2 on the week.  Her four triples already rank tied for third on Youngstown State’s single-season triples chart.

Lagesse picked up four wins in five appearances last week as the Crusaders posted an incredible 7-1 mark.  The hurler earned wins in both of her starts, pitching a complete-game five hitter against Saint Francis (Pa.) and four innings of one-hit ball against Alabama State.  Facing Gardner-Webb, the sophomore allowed just one hit in seven innings and shut out Tennessee State during her 2.2 innings of work.  For the week, Lagesse compiled a 0.31 ERA and struck out 14 batters in 22.2 innings.

Vote for Haley and Alex for the HLN's People's Choice Award.

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

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