LOUISVILLE, Ky. –Charleston’s Emma Groe and Rogers State’s Andrea Morales were named NFCA’s Division II Louisville Slugger Player and Wilson Pitcher of the Week. The duo is being recognized for outstanding performances during contests played April 25-May 1, marking the final weekly awards of the 2022 season.
Groe slugged her way to the honor, hitting .643 with two doubles and three home runs last week. She posted a 1.429 slugging percentage and a 2.072 OPS. Groe registered at least one hit and scored one run in all four contests. She finished with five RBI on the week.
Morales was lights out last week, going 3-0, while tossing a perfect game and no-hitter in consecutive starts. This was accompanied by five innings of one-hit shutout relief with 10 strikeouts. In the perfect game, Morales shut down Fort Hays State with 14 strikeouts and followed that with a no-no versus Nebraska-Kearney with 15 punchouts. On the week, she fanned 39, walked one and surrendered one hit in 19 innings of work.
The Division II Player and Pitcher of the Week awards are voted on by the NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll Committee, which consists of two head coaches from each of the NCAA’s eight regions. To be eligible, student-athletes must be nominated by their member head coach.
Selected Top Performances
Ashley Cagiano, Franklin Pierce - .619, 2B, HR, 14 RBI, 7 R, .609 OBP, .810 SLG; Logan Carlos, Western Oregon - .500, 5 RBI, .929 SLG, hit for the cycle against Central Washington; Nicole Christensen, Colorado Mesa - .600, 3 2B, 2 HR, 6 R, 9 RBI, 1.500 SLG, 2.136 OPS; Chloe Derrick, Auburn Montgomery - .615, 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R; Alyssa Herrera, Georgian Court - .600, 12 H, 3 2B, 3B 5 RBI; Daisha Howard, Felician - , 9 H, 3B, 3 HR, 5 R, 9 RBI, 1.188 SLG; Madison Schaefer, Texas A&M-Commerce - .636, 2 2B, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 1.636 SLG; Emma Walbert, Truman State - .857, 3B, .867 OBP, 8-for-8 in DH, tied program record with five hits in one game; Kelsi Collins, Embry-Riddle – 2-0, 2 SHO, 14 IP; Kayleigh Jones, Oklahoma Baptist – 2-0, SV, 0.00 ERA, 19 K, 2 H, 12.1 IP; Samantha Richards, Valdosta State – 3-0, 2 CG, SHO, SV, R, ER, 28 K, 4 BB, .129 opp BA.
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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