LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Pittsburg State’s Paxtyn Hayes and Barry’s Maci Barnhart were named 2023 Division II Louisville Slugger/NFCA Player and Wilson/NFCA Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for their outstanding performances for contests played Feb. 13-19.
Hayes powered the Gorillas to a 4-0 record behind a monstrous weekend at the plate. She batted .692 with four home runs, 19 RBI, seven runs scored and a 1.769 slugging percentage. Over the course of the four games, Hayes hit for the cycle in home runs with a grand slam, three-run shot, two-run homer and a solo dinger. The junior infielder recorded a pair of 3-for-3, six RBI outings against Drury (2 HR) and Wayne State College (2B, HR). The Greenwood, Ark. native also homered and drove in five more runs in Pitt State’s second matchup with Drury.
Barnhart twirled 16 shutout innings, going 2-0 with a save for the Buccaneers last week. The junior righthander tossed two complete game shutouts of Sunshine State Conference-foe Florida Southern. In 14 innings of work against the Mocs, Barnhart struck out 24, allowed just four hits and did not issue a walk. She recorded a career high 17 punchouts in game one versus Florida Southern. Barnhart also earned a two-inning save against Flagler, fanning four and not walking a batter. The Sebring, Fla. native held the opposition to a .075 batting average and registered a 0.250 WHIP.
Selected Top Performances
Hannah Rose Corbin, Columbus State - .615, 2 2B, 4 HR, 10 R, 8 RBI; 1-1, 26 K, 17 IP; Rylee Crouch, Colorado Mesa - .714, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1.714 SLG, 2.464 OPS; Alexandra Hare, Saint Leo - .909, 2B, 3B, 7 RBI, 1.182 SLG; Lauren Harris, McKendree - .529, 9 H, 3 2B, 3B, 5 RBI, 5 BB, HBP, .556 OBP; Morgan Hill, Valdosta State - .500, 2B, 2 HR, 1.200 SLG, .545; Jordan Krause, Bentley - .619, 13 H, 12 R, 6 RBI, 4 2B, 3B, 3 BB, .680 OBP, .905 SLG, 1.585 OPS; Alexis Smith, Nova Southeastern - .700, 2B, 3B, HR, 5 RBI, BB, SB, 1.300 SLG; JT Smith, UT Tyler - .727, 2 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 4-4 SB, 5 R, .818 OBP, 1.375 SLG; Oliva Wick, Regis - .615, 8 H, 2 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 2 BB, SB, .667 OBP, 1.000 SLG; Leighton Withers, Missouri Southern - .667, 3 2B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 1.529 SLG, 2.213 OPS; Kayla Betts, Saint Leo -1-0, 0.00 ERA, 15 K, 2 BB, H; Lindsey Hibbs, Adelphi – 1-0, 0.57 ERA, 24 K, 2 BB,1 R, 12.1 IP; Kayleigh Jones, Oklahoma Baptist – 2-1, 0.00 ERA, 30 K, 3 BB, 14 IP, no-hitter at Emporia State (16 K); Ellie Quaethem, McKendree – 3-0, 1.11 ERA, 31 K, no-hitter vs. Cedarville (10 K, 5 IP); Samantha Richards, Valdosta State – 2-0, 1.62 ERA, SHO, 3 BB, 11 K, 13 IP; Nichole Sarra, Sonoma State – 2-0 0.50 ERA, 6 K, 14 IP, perfect game vs. San Francisco State (2 K, 5 IP).
Celebrating 40 years in 2023, the NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded Louisville Slugger/Player & Wilson/Pitcher of the Week awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from webinars to legal counsel, to in-person events and the National Convention.
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NFCA Division II Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week
