KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Lucy Baldovino of Concordia (Ore.) has been named the NAIA Softball National Pitcher of the Week and Annette Merjano of Concordia (Calif.) has been selected as the National Player of the Week, the national office announced Tuesday. Baldovino and Merjano were selected based on their performances from March 17 – 23 and were chosen out of a pool of conference, independent and unaffiliated group winners.

Baldovino, a native of Medford, Ore., ended the week with a 2-0 record, including a no-hitter against Cascade Collegiate Conference rival Corban (Ore.) on March 22. The junior hurler threw six innings and struck out 15 Warriors en route to the win. One day prior, Baldovino allowed one hit over five innings in Concordia’s 12-0 win at Northwest Christian (Ore.).

On the season, Baldovino owns a 4-1 record and a team-leading 1.58 earned run average.

Merjano, a native of Auburn, Calif., hit .476 on the week to lead Concordia to a 7-1 record. The senior first baseman also tallied 15 RBI, 13 runs scored, four home runs and two doubles. Merjano’s highlight performance arguably came in the Eagles’ 10-0 win against NCAA Division III NYU-Poly (N.Y.) on March 17. She ended the game 2-for-2 at the dish with three runs score, three RBI and a home run.

On the year, Merjano is fifth in the NAIA in home runs (10) and RBI (43), while also ranking among the top 10 nationally in runs scored (8th; 37) and total bases (9th; 75).

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

The next NAIA National Softball Players of the Week will be announced April 1.

Pitcher Nominees: Kaily Purtle, Park (Mo.); Madison Luck, Reinhardt (Ga.); Paris Hallums, Simpson (Calif.); Corey Shahan, St. Francis (Ill.); Ariel Sheets, Huntington (Ind.); Janell LaRont, Dickinson State (N.D.); Stevie Goldstein, Concordia (Calif.); Taylor Erlenbusch, Hastings (Neb.); Aubrey Utley, Central Methodist (Mo.); Ashley Boggs, West Virginia Tech; Steeli Norton, Saint Mary (Kan.); Jessica Leanhart, Indiana Southeast; Jenna Jones, Rio Grande (Ohio); Maggie Hawley, Waldorf (Iowa); Haleigh Munson, Grand View (Iowa); Lindsey White, Valley City State (N.D.); Katrisha Arocha, Our Lady of the Lake (Texas); Hannah Wilbur, Oklahoma Baptist; Caroline Sagrera, Spring Hill (Ala.); Emily Bryant, Southeastern (Fla.); Kortney Loar, Concordia (Mich.).

Player Nominees: Brooke Kunkel, Park (Mo.); C.j. Browder, Reinhardt (Ga.); Kara Wall, Simpson (Calif.); Taylor Copher, Concordia (Ore.); Lexi Southall, St. Francis (Ill.); Megan Beidelman, Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio); Heather Ramirez, Doane (Neb.); Mallorie Nelson, Baker (Kan.); Marley Moehrig, Houston-Victoria (Texas); Megan Blythe, West Virginia Tech; Kelli Traffas, Bethany (Kan.); Lacey Holt, Midway (Ky.); Abbey Barrett, Shawnee State (Ohio); Haley Baugh, Central Baptist (Ark.); Jessica Grochala, Grand View (Iowa); Stephanie Sandoval, Dakota State (S.D.); Ashley Perez, Our Lady of the Lake (Texas); Randi Yousey, St. Gregory's (Okla.); Anna Blake Barnette, Mobile (Ala.); Alexandria Simmons, USC Beaufort (S.C.); Jess Barjaktarovich, Concordia (Mich.).

2014 Softball Weekly Honors (Player, Pitcher):
Week 1 (March 18): Hannah Gardner, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Nicole Nonnemacher, Saint Xavier (Ill.)
Week 2 (March 25): Annette Merjano, Concordia (Calif.); Lucy Baldovino, Concordia (Ore.)