April 7, 2009

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Bailey Dillender of Campbellsville (Ky.) has been selected as the NAIA Softball Player of the Week while Jess Irwin of Madonna (Mich.) was awarded the NAIA Softball Pitcher of the Week while for March 30 – April 5.

Dillender, a freshman infielder/third baseman from Lexington, Ky., batted .593 with 1.444 slugging percentage last week.  In eight games she went 16-27 with seven homeruns, two doubles, 18 RBI and 10 runs scored.  In a 9-9 tie with Georgetown (Ky.), Dillender went 2-4 at the plate with two homeruns and five RBI.

Irwin, a sophomore pitcher from Monroe, Mich., notched five wins and a save in six appearances last week. Against Concordia (Mich.), she tied her career high with 17 strikeouts while allowing just one hit in a 5-1 victory.  On the week Irwin pitched 28.1 innings allowing just one earned run, seven hits and struck out 49 batters.

The next Players of the Week will be announced on April 14.

Other Player of the Week Nominees:

Kristy Britton, Bacone (Okla.); Rachel Comoglio, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Mallory Meadows, Belhaven (Miss.); Julie Nietering, Cornerstone (Mich.); Sara Slovacek, York (Neb.); Tracy Washman, Oklahoma Christian; Jessica Fix, Milligan (Tenn.); Katie Dove, Central Methodist (Mo.); Jena Strobel, Columbia (Mo.); Stephanie Lavey, Houston-Victoria (Tex.); Sara Allen, Auburn Montgomery (Ala.); Courtney Mienkina, SCAD (Ga.); Michelle Gastin, Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio); Alicia Boris, Martin Methodist (Tenn.); Haley Eagle, Midway (Ky.); Jacquelyn Hernandez, Bethany (Kan.); Meghan Laughlin, Southern Oregon; Jackie Streeter, Fisher (Mass.) Laura Pfotenhauer, Bethel (Ind.); Beth Richmond, Dana (Neb.); Sam Sciutto, California State-East Bay; Sarah Hurlbut, California Baptist; Courtney Yacinich, Grand View (Iowa)

Other Pitcher of the Week Nominees:
Ashley Oldham, Texas Wesleyan; Tarrah Tucker, Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.); Abby Sears, Union (Ky.); Katie Hannagan, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Kimberly Williams, Evangel (Mo.); Allison Horton, Campbellsville (Ky.); Kelsey Jo Smith, William Carey (Miss.); Emily Moore, Maine-Presque Isle; Kacey Rehagen, Columbia (Mo.); Jennifer Bartley, Indiana-Southeast; Lauren Garza, Houston-Victoria (Tex.); Ashley Johnson, William Penn (Iowa); Lisa Williams, SCAD (Ga.); Shana Etter, Ohio Dominican; Stephanie Tyler, Bethany (Kan.); Justine Riner, Park (Mo.); Becca Thomas, Shorter (Ga.); Rachel Zirille, Bethel (Ind.); Ashley Wilburn, Oklahoma City; Mindy Schoop, Dana (Neb.); Becca Anderson, Oregon Tech; Jesse Peterson, California State-East Bay; Tory Ferreira, California Baptist

2009 Composite Award Winners:

March 17:

Player - Ginalee Davis, Lubbock Christian (Texas)

Pitcher - Kristen LeFan, Webber International (Fla.)

March 24:

Player – Heather Pace, Belhaven (Miss.)

Pitcher – Sharon Bell, St. Gregory’s (Okla.)

March 31:

Player – Amanda Howard, Oklahoma City

Pitcher – Valerie Teter, Columbia (Mo.)

April 7:

Player - Bailey Dillender, Campbellsville (Ky.)

Pitcher - Jess Irwin, Madonna (Mich.)

April 14:

Player

Pitcher

April 21:

Player

Pitcher

April 28:

Player

Pitcher