April 13, 2010

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Jennifer Costa of MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) has been named the NAIA National Softball Pitcher of the Week and Olivet Nazarene's (Ill.) Jordan Reynolds has been tabbed the NAIA National Softball Player of the Week, the National Office announced Tuesday. Costa and Reynolds were selected based on their performances from April 5 - 11. The pair was chosen out of a pool of conference player of the week selections.

Costa went 3-0 with a 0.37 ERA in three starts last week. The junior pitcher only allowed three hits and one run, while striking out 38 batters in 19 innings. Costa posted a 16-strikeout no-hitter in a 4-0 win over Baker (Kan.) on April 8 and followed it up by striking out 13 in a 3-0, one-hit win over Central Methodist (Mo.) on April 10. She has two no-hitters on the season. The Escalon, Calif., product ranks 16^th nationally in opponent batting average (0.163), 19^th in total strikeouts (145) and 20^th in hits allowed per nine innings (5.32).

Reynolds batted 0.655 (19-for-29) with a 0.697 on-base percentage and a 0.862 slugging percentage in nine games last week. The sophomore centerfielder tallied three doubles and one home run, while scoring 10 times and knocking in 16 RBI. Reynolds was also 6-of-6 in stolen base attempts on the week. The Metamora, Ill., native is ranked eighth nationally in runs scored (44), 13^th in total hits (57) and 19^th in batting average (0.487).

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

The next Player of the Week announcement will be on April 20.

Pitcher Nominees: Tiffany Stritz, Our Lady of the Lake (Texas); Brenna Sandberg, Cal State-San Marcos; Kelsey Everett, Indiana-Southeast; Riley Mashburn, Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.); Brandi Richards, Auburn Montgomery (Ala.); Leslie Pickette, Mobile (Ala.); Ashley Baughman, Carlow (Pa.); Jody Zillner, College of Idaho; Kelsey Porter, Friends (Kan.); Maria Staton, Ohio Dominican; Kelly Baumert, Morningside (Iowa); Jess Irwin, Madonna (Mich.); Baylea Wagener, Houston-Victoria (Texas); Monica Villarreal, William Penn (Iowa); Brittany Gunther, Georgetown (Ky.); Maddie Monroe, Reinhardt (Ga.); Alissa Crumley, Bellevue (Neb.); Kristen Lefan, Webber International (Fla.); Mandy Greenberg, Minot State (N.D.); Karisa Hendrix, Williams Baptist (Ark.); Emily Gwaltney, Marian (Ind.); Jalyn Shearer, St. Xavier (Ill.); Alyssa Gutierrez, Lubbock Christian (Texas); Tina DeLuca, SUNY-Canton; Stephanie Fairclough, Holy Names (Calif.); Tyler Lent, Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.)

Player Nominees: Dawn Villegas, Our Lady of the Lake (Texas); Tara Denzik, Indiana-Southeast; Emily True, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.); Jessica Palmer, Mobile (Ala.); Brooke Sampson, Doane (Neb.); Karina De Los Santos, Martin Methodist (Tenn.); Myah Sprew, Ottawa (Kan.); Erin Sutter, Ohio Dominican; Tori Long, Columbia (Mo.); Karlee Despres, Davenport (Mich.); Heather Haegele, Jamestown (N.D.); Brittany Faas, Houston-Victoria (Texas); Jess Plummer, Oregon Tech; Lauren Vitiello, Grand View (Iowa); Leah Hamman, Rio Grande (Ohio); Lindsay Garchinski, Warner (Fla.); Kendra Gansz, Bellevue (Neb.); Johana Gomez, Lee (Tenn.); Amanda Ardinger, Point Park (Pa.); Abby Sears, Union (Ky.); Emily Gwaltney, Marian (Ind.); Priscilla FaGaines, Lubbock Christian (Texas); Carolina Olivares, SUNY-Canton; Jessica Meriam, Holy Names (Calif.); Sarah Hurlbut, California Baptist

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
Week 5: Jennifer Costa, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.); Jordan Reynolds, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.)