By Chad Waller, NAIA Director of Communications & Sports Information

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Jordyn Brown (pictured above left) of Concordia (Ore.) has been tabbed as the NAIA National Softball Player of the Week and Natalie Newell of Bethel (Ind.) has been named the NAIA National Softball Pitcher of the Week, the national office announced Tuesday. Hardy and Kim were chosen based on their performances from April 23 - 29 out of a pool of conference player of the week selections among 24 conference/independent/unaffiliated groupings. This is the final weekly award for the 2012 season.

Brown, a 5-foot-6 senior pitcher from Hillsboro, Ore., batted .667 (10-for-15) in six games last week for the Cavaliers. She had five multi-hit games, including a 2-for-3 effort in a 5-4 road win at No. 17 Corban (Ore.) on April 27. Also in that game, Brown collected a double, scored a run and smashed a game-winning three-run homer. In the first contest of the doubleheader against Corban, she tossed a five-inning, 12-4 victory from the circle. 

For the week, she led the team with eight RBIs and rapped seven extra-base hits. She posted a 1.400 slugging clip, had five doubles and scored three runs.

Newell, a 5-foot-9 freshman from Goshen, Ind., compiled a 3-0 record on the week to improve to 12-0 in the Mid-Central College Conference. She earned both wins of a doubleheader at Marian (Ind.) on April 23 as she tossed 14 innings and allowed three earned runs. Newell struck out 16 batters, including 10 in the 2-1, game one victory. On April 26, Newell capped her week with a five inning, no-hitter against Taylor (Ind.) as she fanned 11 Trojans. She continued her no-hit streak by pitching three more no-hit innings in the save in game two. In total against Taylor, Newell threw eight innings of no-hit ball while striking out 19 batters.

In NAIA statistics, Newell ranks fifth in batters struck out per nine innings (13.0), 11th in opponent batting average (.171) and 24th in total wins (18).

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

Player Nominees: Kari Kviten, Berea (Ky.); Kelsie Bridgeford, Bellevue (Neb.); Sydney Broderick, Cumberland (Tenn.); Lyndsay Swafford, Ottawa (Kan.); Bethany Armstrong, Northwood (Texas); Courtney Dennis, Central Methodist (Mo.); Hannah Gardner, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Haley Johnson, Auburn Montgomery (Ala.); Briana DeFlavio, Mount Mercy (Iowa); Shelby Anderson, Williams Baptist (Ark.); Katie Bowers, Huntington (Ind.); Heather Haegele, Jamestown (N.D.); Hallie Minch, Madonna (Mich.); Kami Kuhlmann, Northwestern (Iowa); Bailey Dillender, Campbellsville (Ky.); Katie Rietkovich, South Carolina Beaufort; Nikki Roddy, Reinhardt (Ga.); Kim Frazier, Lubbock Christian (Texas); Mallory Blodgett, William Jessup (Calif.).

Pitcher Nominees: Sarah Elizabeth Cousar, Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.); Lenzie Boring, Evangel (Mo.); Ashley Renaldi, Ottawa (Kan.); Brandi Richards, Auburn Montgomery (Ala.); Carlie Giarmo, Aquinas (Mich.); Kristina Krupinski, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.); Karisa Hendrix, Williams Baptist (Ark.); Jennifer Whitehead, William Penn (Iowa); Jessica Bock, Central Baptist (Ark.); Keely Bracelin, Northwestern (Iowa); Kristy Cook, South Carolina Beaufort; Maddie Monroe, Reinhardt (Ga.); Taylor Schmidt, Oregon Tech; Lily LaVelle, Oklahoma City; Kayla Duke, Indiana Southeast; Emily Buhrkuhl, William Jessup (Calif.); Sarah Boyer, Judson (Ill.).

2012 Softball Weekly Honors (Player; Pitcher):
Week 1: Jordan Reynolds, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Brooke Thomas, Union (Tenn.)
Week 2: Brittany Kent, Lubbock Christian (Texas); Kelly Robey, Union (Tenn.)
Week 3: Jennifer Ringle, Lee (Tenn.); Nickayla Skinner, College of Idaho
Week 4: LeeAnn Lopez, Oklahoma City; Maddie Monroe, Reinhardt (Ga.)
Week 5: Brianne Rowley, William Penn (Iowa); Sierrah Garcia, Iowa Wesleyan
Week 6: Charlsie Broome, Shorter (Ga.); Hollind Englert, Bethany (Kan.)
Week 7: Jessica Hardy, Columbia (Mo.); Rita Kim, Azusa Pacific (Calif.)
Week 8: Jordyn Brown, Concordia (Ore.); Natalie Newell, Bethel (Ind.)