March 21, 2007

NAIA Softball Player of the Week

Peru State (Neb.) senior Tabitha Foster was named NAIA Softball Player of the Week after hitting .680 last week and breaking the Peru State single-season record for home runs against Midland Lutheran (Neb.), belting her 11^th of the season and finishing the week with three more to run the total to 14.

Foster finished the week 17-of-25 at the plate with a 1.600 slugging percentage and 18 RBIs, also scoring 11 runs to help her team to an 8-1 mark in nine games. She opened the week with a home run in each of the team's first four games and hit two more later against Friends (Kan.), capping the nine-game stretch with four RBIs against Sterling (Kan.).

Foster also drew six walks, posted two doubles and had four games with three or more runs batted in.

Other nominees this week included: Jayme Boyer, Oklahoma Baptist; Cori McClanahan, Lindenwood (Mo.); Amy Pearce, Geneva (Pa.); Lakyn Newton, Shorter (Ga.); Lindsey Smith, Virginia Intermont; Stacey Swinford, Saint Francis (Ind.); Amanda Doherty, Oregon Tech; Tawny Bullerdick, Concordia (Neb.); Kate Ward, Iowa Wesleyan; Casandrah Carreon, California Baptist; Brandy Hoffman, Union (Tenn.); Whitney Hess, Savanna Art & Design (Ga.).

NAIA Softball Pitcher of the Week

Bellevue (Neb.) hurler Jen Miller is the NAIA Softball Pitcher of the Week after helping the Bruins to five wins and holding opponents scoreless over 26.1 innings pitched and three complete games.

Miller helped the Bruins win the Pitt State University Invitational by making appearances in four of five games with two starts. Miller scattered six hits while allowing no earned runs in a 4-2 victory over Northwestern Oklahoma Friday. In the two other games on Friday, Miller combined to pitch 5.1 innings in relief only allowing a pair of hits, no earned runs and four strikeouts. In Saturday's complete game victory over Central Missouri State, Miller went seven innings with a strikeout allowing 10 hits in Bellevue's comeback victory. On Wednesday night, Miller had a no-hitter until the seventh inning in a 4-1 victory over Morningside.

For the week, Jen pitched in five games helping the Bruins go 5-0 in games she appeared in. Miller pitched 26.1 innings, giving up 20 hits and four earned runs. She had 12 strikeouts for the week, surrendered only three extra base hits and walked a single batter in 100 AB, with a 1.06 ERA. For the season, Miller has started seven games with three relief appearances and has pitched 53 2/3 innings. Miller has a record of 7-2 overall with 45 strikeouts, a batting average against of .236 and an ERA of 1.83.

Other nominees this week included: Kristin Eyerman, Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio); Heidi Heric, Avila (Mo.); Liz Ballinger, Madonna (Mich.); Maegan Hambrick, Milliagan (Tenn.); Kelly Vooris, Campbellsville (Ky.); Lauren Herrera, Spring Hill (Ala.); Megan Steele, Doane (Neb.); Jenni Bittle, Oregon Tech; Courtney Wheatley, Iowa Wesleyan; Kayla Maddox, Northwood (Texas); Katie Gustaveson, Biola (Calif.); Kristen Curette, Savannah Art & Design.