By Colbi Howser, Communications and Sports Information Intern

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Lauren Geringer of Central Methodist (Mo.) has been named the NAIA National Softball Player of the Week and Taylor Powell of Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) has been named the NAIA National Softball Pitcher of the Week, the national office announced Tuesday. Geringer and Powell were selected based on their performances from April 25 – May 1, and were chosen out of a pool of conference, Association of Independent Institutions and unaffiliated group winners. This is the final player of the week release.

Softball Player of the Week
Lauren Geringer, Central Methodist (Mo.)
5-9, Sr., IF, O’Fallon, Mo.
• Went 8-for-16 (0.500 batting average) in a 5-1 week for the Eagles.
• All eight hits resulted in extra bases.
• Logged a slugging percentage of 1.750 with six home runs and two doubles.
• Added 16 RBI and 11 runs scored.
• Recorded two-or-more RBI in five-of-six games last week.
• Ranks in 13 statistical categories in the NAIA including, No. 2 in home runs per game (.392) and home runs (20), No. 6 in total runs batted in (66), No. 7 in runs batted in per game (1.294), No. 8 in total bases (135) and No. 10 in total bases per game (2.647).
• This is her first career national player of the week award.

Softball Pitcher of the Week
Taylor Powell, Auburn Montgomery (Ala.)
5-10, Sr., P., Alabaster, Ala.
• Pitched 28 innings on the week, allowing just four walks and one run.
• Picked up four wins to help the 48-6 Warhawks to a 4-0 week.
• Logged seven innings pitched, giving up six hits and striking out two in an 8-0 win over then-No. 8 William Carey (Miss.) to win its first-ever Southern States Athletic Tournament Championship.
• Picked up her 75th career win against William Carey.
• Threw a combined 14-straight shutout innings on the final day of the SSAC tournament with 12 strikeouts.
• Leads the NAIA in wins (30), No. 2 in earned run average (.680), No. 4 in hits allowed per nine (3.47), No. 4 in opponent batting average (.143), No. 7 in total innings pitched (206), No. 12 in total earned runs allowed (20) and No. 18 in total runs allowed (27).
• This is her first career national pitcher of the week award.

For more information on NAIA softball, click here.
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For a complete listing of all the national statistical leaders, click here.

Player Nominees: Amanda Bouchey, William Woods (Mo.); Micalah Sacre, Reinhardt (Ga.); Ashley Henderson, Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.); Alex Wyss, St. Francis (Ill.); Sara Kreitzer, Indiana Wesleyan; Jordan Neal, San Diego Christian (Calif.); Corrin Ziepke, Hastings (Neb.); Alex Kuhn, Rio Grande (Ohio); Jenna Firestein, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.); Emily Newman, Jamestown (N.D.); Paulean Gonzalez, LSU Alexandria; Ashli Hafford, St. Gregory's (Okla.); Kayla Bawkin, Middle Georgia State; Anna Martin, Southeastern (Fla.); Nicky Salloum, Madonna (Mich.)

Pitcher Nominees: Paxton Welch, Columbia (Mo.); Madison Luck, Reinhardt (Ga.); Alana Selvaggio, Benedictine Mesa (Ariz.); Tori Burke, Cardinal Stritch (Wis.); Haley Nixon, Indiana Wesleyan; Kendra Kuper, San Diego Christian (Calif.); Aubrey Voboril, Morningside (Iowa); Megan Deiter, MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.); Jenna Jones, Rio Grande (Ohio); Victoria Decker, Campbellsville (Ky.); Kathleen Gallais, Valley City State (N.D.); Marci West, LSU Alexandria; Brittany Rosenberry, Texas Wesleyan; Lindsie Scholwinski, Southeastern (Fla.); Erin Combs, Madonna (Mich.)

2015-16 Softball Composite Award Winners (Pitcher, Player)
Week 1 (March 23): Victoria Decker, Campbellsville (Ky.), Ariel Roder, Rio Grande (Ohio)
Week 2 (March 30): Jenna Daniel, Oklahoma Wesleyan, Tara Moates, Oregon Tech
Week 3 (April 06): Kyra Parker, Evangel (Mo.), Alex Vargas, Dickinson State (N.D.)
Week 4 (April 13): Nicole Nonnemacher, Saint Xavier (Ill.), Ashli Hafford, St. Gregory's (Okla.)
Week 5 (April 20): Jenna Daniel, Oklahoma Wesleyan, Leslie Miller, Oklahoma City
Week 6 (April 27): Alex Watson, Dickinson State (N.D.), Alex Springer, Indiana Wesleyan
Week 7 (May 04): Taylor Powell, Auburn Montgomery (Ala.), Lauren Geringer, Central Methodist (Mo.)