April 6, 2010

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Anyibell Ramirez of Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) has been named the NAIA National Softball Pitcher of the Week and Texas Wesleyan’s Lateah Lucero has been tabbed the NAIA National Softball Player of the Week, the National Office announced Tuesday. Ramirez and Lucero were selected based on their performances from March 29 – April 4. The pair was chosen out of a pool of conference player of the week selections.

Ramirez picked up six of Lindsey Wilson’s eight wins last week, including three shutouts. She allowed just one run on nine hits in her 28-1/3 innings of work, while striking out 46 batters and issuing just four bases on balls. Ramirez concluded the week with a 0.25 ERA.

The junior pitcher from Barinas, Venezuela, ranks among the top-10 statistically in seven categories, including second in runs allowed per game (.500) and total batters struck out (194). Ramirez’s 15.87 strikeout average per seven innings is listed third and she limits opponents to just a .130 batting average, which ranks fourth.

Lucero hit .667 (14-for-21) with 10 stolen bases on 12 attempts and 11 runs scored during a 6-0 week for Texas Wesleyan. Lucero had multiple hits in all six games including a pair of 3-for-3 outings against Langston (Okla.) and Texas College. She also stole at least one base in every game. In a doubleheader sweep of conference leading Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas), Lucero went 4-for-7 with three runs scored and three stolen bases.

A junior shortstop hailing from Pilot Point, Texas, Lucero is the second-leading threat nationally on the base pads. She ranks second in stolen bases per game (1.276), steal attempts per game (1.483) and total steal attempts (43). Lucero is third in total stolen bases with 37.

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

The next Player of the Week announcement will be on April 13.

Pitcher Nominees: Autumn Allen, McKendree (Ill.); Jennifer Costa, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.); Kelsey Everett, Indiana-Southeast; Alissa Crumley, Bellevue (Neb.); Morgan Beckler, Ottawa (Kan.); Ashley Oldham, Texas Wesleyan; Anyibell Ramirez, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.); Makenzie Marchbanks, Corban (Ore.); Sarah Burns, Belhaven (Miss.); Jennifer Burns, Robert Morris (Ill.); Jess Irwin, Madonna (Mich.); Baylea Wagener, Houston - Victoria (Texas); Becca Smith, Mount Mercy (Iowa); Lauren Baker, Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.); Johana Gomez, Lee (Tenn.); Kelli Zache, Bethel (Ind.); Maria Staton, Ohio Dominican; Kelsey Floyd, Reinhardt (Ga.); Jessica Krska, Malone (Ohio); Kristen Curette, SCAD (Ga.); Alysia Wittmaack, Nebraska Wesleyan; Lily Lavelle, Oklahoma City; Mika Wilson, Fisher (Mass.); Stacie Salazar, Vanguard (Calif.); Brianna Melgard, William Jessup (Calif.).

Player Nominees: Megan Sutherland, Indiana-Southeast; Jessica Guyle, Bellevue (Neb.); Stephanie Sullivant, Central Methodist (Mo.); Colleen Dailey, William Woods (Mo.); Morgan Greenfield, Davenport (Mich.); Stephanie Nippert, Corban (Ore.); Adrianna Boychuk, Valley City State (N.D.); Marisa Baker, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Courtney Pettit, Houston - Victoria (Texas); Judy Barber, William Carey (Miss.); Kristina Manser, Friends (Kan.); Kelsey Lantrip, Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.); Leigha Strong, Iowa Wesleyan; Brandi Richards, Auburn Montgomery (Ala.); Erin Sutter, Ohio Dominican; Kristen Atzenhoefer, Malone (Ohio); Kristen Curette, SCAD (Ga.); Jackie Streeter, Fisher (Mass.); Emily Gwaltney, Marian (Ind.); Kim Frazier, Lubbock Christian (Texas); Jessica Fix, Milligan (Tenn.); Alex Jane Clemmons, Campbellsville (Ky.); Sara Curry, Northwestern (Iowa); Sheyna Alarcon, Hope International (Calif.); Danielle Crisosto, Simpson (Calif.).

2010 Composite Award Winners (Pitcher; Player) (Schedule):
Week 1: Anna Maness, Brenau (Ga.); Molly Knight, Asbury (Ky.)
Week 2: Valerie Teter, Columbia (Mo.); Courtney Barber, Faulkner (Ala.)
Week 3: Tory Ferreira, California Baptist; Caitlin Gidcumb, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.)
Week 4: Anyibell Ramirez, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.); Lateah Lucero, Texas Wesleyan