March 16, 2010

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Anna Maness of Brenau (Ga.) has been named the NAIA National Softball Pitcher of the Week and Molly Knight of Asbury (Ky.) has been NAIA National Softball Player of the Week, the National Office announced Tuesday. Maness and Knight are the first honorees of the 2010 season based on their performances from March 8-14. The pair was chosen out of a pool of conference player of the week selections among 20 conferences.

Maness tossed 29 scoreless innings to defeat two Southern States Athletic Conference opponents and then pitched a four-hit, 3-0 shutout against eighth-ranked Martin Methodist (Tenn.) on March 13. The freshman hurler from Seagroves, N.C., picked up her first save of her Brenau career in a 3-2 win over Central Methodist (Mo.) on March 12.

The rookie ranks third nationally in total innings pitched (96), fourth in wins (11) and 12th in total batters struck out (77).

Knight set school records for doubles (3), RBIs (8) and total bases (10) in Asbury's 25-0 win over Ohio Christian on March 13. On the season, Knight is hitting .560 and leads the team in hits (14) and RBIs (18).

The freshman catcher hailing from Nicholasville, Ky., is listed 11th nationally with her 1.8 RBI per game average.

For a complete listing of all the national statistical leaders, click here.

The next Player of the Week announcement will be on March 23.

Pitcher Nominees: Tori Sizemore, Evangel (Mo.); Sidney Burns, Milligan (Tenn.); Taylor Jones, Northwood (Texas); Roxanne Rodriguez, Tabor (Kan.); Kayla Duke, Indiana-Southeast; Kate Street, Jamestown (N.D.); Sam Cole, Davenport (Mich.); Jessica Robinson, Missouri Baptist; Jordan Reynolds, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Sarah Burns, Belhaven (Miss.); Kaitlyn Grimail, Warner (Fla.); Morgan Paschall, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.); Maria Staton, Ohio Dominican; Melanie Ahumada, California Baptist; Renee Santos, Concordia (Ore.); Sarah Bradley, St. Gregory's (Okla.); Emily Gwaltney, Marian (Ind.); Katlin White, Martin Methodist (Tenn.); Stephanie Burlew, Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio).

Player Nominees: Hannah Somers, Evangel (Mo.); Melanie Strickler, Milligan (Tenn.); Brooke Davis, Northwest Christian (Ore.); Lateah Lucero, Texas Wesleyan; Kelly Lesko, Madonna (Mich.); Anais Puertas, Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.); Caitlin Gidcumb, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Rachel Wright, Belhaven (Miss.); Elizabeth Best-Still, Mayville State (N.D.); Danielle Fennimore, Warner (Fla.); Ally Goniea, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.); Brandi Richards, Auburn Montgomery (Ala.); Morgan Evans, Bethany (Kan.); Jennifer Baker, Ohio Dominican; Hannah Kroese, Doane (Neb.); Jessica Slayton, Marian (Ind.); Alyssa Mangum, Peru State (Neb.); Linsey Curtis, Rogers State (Okla.); Katie Carson, Concordia (Calif.); Angie Maue, McKendree (Ill.); Michelle Gastin, Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio).