LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Florida Atlantic’s Melissa Martinez and Minnesota’s Sara Groenewegen were named Louisville Slugger / NFCA Division I National Player and Pitcher of the Week, announced the Association on Tuesday afternoon.
Martinez had an outstanding weekend at the plate, hitting .700 with four doubles and 10 RBI to help the 22nd-ranked Owls sweep Western Kentucky and clinch the Conference USA regular season title. The senior second baseman from Miami, Fla. also added two runs, slugged 1.100 and registered a .727 on-base percentage.
“Playing so well and winning the conference title in the final home series of my career was an exciting, emotional, one of a kind experience,” Martinez said. “I couldn’t have done it without every single one of my teammates.”
In the opener, Martinez drove in a season-high six runs behind a 3-for-4 effort at the dish with two doubles. She followed that outing, by going 3-for-3 in the nightcap with another double, two RBI and a stolen base in a 5-3 win that clinched the conference crown. Martinez capped off the weekend with a two-run double in a 6-0 win.
“Mel stepped up with her performance at the plate and led us to a sweep of Western Kentucky,” said head coach Joan Joyce. “She is certainly deserving of the award.”
Groenewegen was nearly perfect in her nine innings of work last weekend against Rutgers. The junior righty did not allow hit or run, struck out 18 and walked just one to earn a pair of wins in Big Ten play. She twirled a five-inning no-hitter with 10 strikeouts and a walk in the series opener.
“It is an honor to be recognized as pitcher of the week,” said Groenewegen. “This past weekend versus Maryland went very well and I had full trust in my defense, which allows me to throw all of my pitches with confidence. There were some big time plays made by my teammates, which ultimately made my box score hitless. I am proud of the way we played as a team, especially with all of the run support that we had.”
The White Rock, B.C. native followed by tossing four perfect innings in the series finale before being removed to start the fifth. Greoenewegen struck out seven of the first nine batters and finished with eight punchouts. Earning her second recognition of the season, she improved to 25-5 on the year with a 1.87 ERA and 268 strikeouts.
“This is a tremendous honor for Sara and our program,” said head coach Jessica Allister. “Sara is putting together an unbelievable season on the field, but more importantly is a great teammate off the field. She cares about her teammates successes, and celebrates them like they are her own. We are very proud of Sara.”
Player of the Week
May 3 – Melissa Martinez (Florida Atlantic)
April 26 – Jordan Seneca (Saint Francis)
April 19 – Morgan Maize (DePaul)
April 12 – Rainey Gaffin (Tennessee)
April 5 – Jessie Hufstetler (San Jose State)
March 29 – Holly Speers (Kent State)
March 22 – Hannah Day (Troy)
March 15 – Fiana Finau (New Mexico State)
March 8 – Sierra Romero (Michigan)
March 1 – Cammi Prantl (Ohio State)
Feb. 23 – Ali Aguilar (Washington)
Feb. 16 – Lexie Elkins (Louisiana-Lafayette)
Pitcher of the Week
May 3 – Sara Groenewegen (Minnesota)
April 26 – Melanie Russell (Boston University)
Holly McKinnon (USC Upstate)
April 19 – Megan Betsa (Michigan)
April 12 – Erica Nunn (USF)
April 5 – Sydney Littlejohn (Alabama)
March 29 – Cheridan Hawkins (Oregon)
March 22 – Devin Brown (South Alabama)
Kylee Hanson (Florida Atlantic)
March 15 – Meghan King (Florida State)
Sara Groenewegen (Minnesota)
March 8 – Carley Hoover (LSU)
March 1 – Heather Stearns (Baylor)
Feb. 23 – Jailyn Ford (James Madison)
Feb. 16 – Jill Compton (Fresno State)
Selected Top Performances
Oregon’s Cheridan Hawkins – Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week – 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 H, 15 K, 1 BB, 12 IP… Bradley’s Jaelen Hull – MVC Pitcher of the Week – 2-0, 0.38 ERA, .103 opp. BA, 25 K, 4 BB, 18.2 IP… Murray State’s Mason Robinson – OVC Pitcher of the Week – 3-0, 2 SHO, 10 K, 4 BB, .131 opp. BA- owns 28 inning scoreless streak… Florida State’s Jessica Warren – ACC Co-Player of the Week - .562 (9-for-16), 2 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 7 R… South Dakota State’s Lauren Chirnside – Summit League Player of the Week - .400, 2 2B, 2 HR, 2 SB, 1.200 SLG… UCLA’s Mysha Sataraka – Pac-12 Player of the Week - .400, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, .625 OBP… FAU’s Kylee Hanson – Conference USA Pitcher of the Week – 2-0, 0.64 ERA, 1 R, 3 H, 18 K, 11 IP… North Carolina’s Berlynne Delamora – ACC-Co Player of the Week - .750, 2.250 SLG, 6 RBI, 1.000 FLD - Minnesota’s Maddie Houlihan – Big Ten Freshman of the Week - .857, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 2.286 SLG… Fresno State’s Lindsey Willmon – Mountain West Player of the Week - .600, .667 OBP, 1.300 SLG, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R… CSUN’s Daphne Pofek – Big West Pitcher of the Week – 3-0, 1.00 ERA, 9 K… St. John’s McKenzie Murray – BIG EAST Pitcher of the Week - 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 10 K, 5 H vs. Creighton… Baylor’s Linsey Hays - .500 (6-for-12), 4 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 8 R, 1.333 SLG… Sam Houston State’s Codi Carpenter – Southland Player of the Week - .889, 3 RBI, 2 R, 1.220 SLG- recorded nine consecutive hits… Elon’s Kayla Caruso – CAA Pitcher of the Week – CG 15-inning win vs. No. 6 James Madison (7 K, 1 BB)…Providence’s Julianne Rurka – BIG EAST Player of the Week - .429, 2 2B, HR, 8 RBI, 3 R… North Dakota State’s Jacquelyn Sertic – Summit League Pitcher of the Week – 1-0, SHO, 2 H, 0 BB, 13 K… LSU’s Sahvanna Jaquish – SEC Player of the Week - .500 (8-for-16), 10 RBI, .938 SLG, .647 OBP… Memphis’ Christian Novak – American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week – 1-0, SHO, 0 R, 6 H, 11 IP… Michigan’s Sierra Lawrence – Big Ten Player of the Week - .692 (9-for-13), .733 OBP, 1.462 SLG… Towson’s Holiday Cahill – CAA Player of the Week - .533, 1.400 SLG, 4 HR, 9 RBI… Saint Joseph’s Sarah Yoos - Atlantic-10 Player of the Week - .500, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R… Ole Miss’ Madi Osias – SEC Pitcher of the Week – 2-0, 2 SHO, 7 H, .153 opp. BA… Saint Joseph’s Ashley Ventura – 3-0, 0.74 ERA, 19 K, 3 BB… Marshall’s Kaelynn Greene - .900 (9-for-10), 3 R, 3 SB.
