North Dakota State catcher/outfielder Shelly Rhein is the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II Player of the Week for the week of March 26-April 1.
Rhein, a senior from Oakdale, Minn., posted a .500 batting average (12-for-24) with six doubles, one triple, one home run, 10 runs scored and 10 runs batted in. She hit safely in seven of eight games last week, including a 3-for-3 performance with a double, triple, four RBI and three runs scored against Southwest State. Rhein tallied four multi-hit games during the week. Rhein's six doubles give her 74 for her career and move her within three doubles of tying the NCAA Division II record of 77 held by Kelly Norris (1995-98) of Coker. Rhein also ranks among the top 15 in Division II with 44 career home runs. Rhein becomes the second North Dakota State player this year to be named Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II Player of the Week. NDSU pitcher Julie Fromm won the honor two weeks ago. North Dakota State, ranked No. 2 in the NFCA Division II Top 25, went 8-0 during the week to extend its winning streak to 20 games and improve to 28-2.