KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Hannah Gardner of Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) has been named the NAIA Softball National Player of the Week and Nicole Nonnemacher of Saint Xavier (Ill.) has been selected as the National Pitcher of the Week, the national office announced Tuesday. Gardner and Nonnemacher were selected based on their performances from March 10 – 16 and were chosen out of a pool of conference, independent and unaffiliated group winners.

Gardner, a Frankfort, Ill., native, hit .568 with 21 RBI, 18 runs scored, four doubles and three home runs in a 10-2 week for the Tigers. The senior second baseman’s week was highlighted in Olivet Nazarene’s 12-0 victory against Jamestown (N.D.) on March 12. Gardner ended the game 4-for-4 at the dish with four RBI and three runs scored. She also blasted one of her three home runs in the contest. With the week’s performance, Gardner set the NAIA and Olivet Nazarene record for career RBI (264), while also setting the program standard in career home runs (39).

On the season, Gardner ranks among the top 10 nationally in RBI per game (2nd; 1.8), runs scored per game (5th; 1.5) and batting average (6th; 0.568).

Nonnemacher, a native of Bloomington, Ill., threw three no-hitters en route to a 4-1 week with one save in the circle for the Cougars. The sophomore hurler, who has played a key role in Saint Xavier’s 14-2 record to start the season, allowed only seven hits, while striking out 57 and walking two in 35 innings. Nonnemacher recorded double-digit strikeouts in all three no-hitters, including a near season-high 15 against Lourdes (Ohio) on March 10.

On the season, Nonnemacher ranks sixth in the NAIA in opponent batting average (0.114), hits allowed per nine innings (2.75), strikeouts per nine innings (11.5) and earned run average (0.27).

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

The next NAIA National Softball Players of the Week will be announced March 25.

Pitcher Nominees: Mackenzie Bowden, William Woods (Mo.); Michalah Sacre, Virginia Intermont; Nickayla Skinner, College of Idaho; Janessa Guevara, Indiana Wesleyan; Brittani Mcgue, Concordia (Calif.); Amanda Beeson, Concordia (Neb.); Mallorie Nelson, Baker (Kan.); Paige Williams, Ottawa (Kan.); Madison Ray, Indiana Southeast; Courtney Maynard, Cumberland (Tenn.); Marisa Donnelly, Waldorf (Iowa); Jennifer Whitehead, William Penn (Iowa); Morgan Nalley, Valley City State (N.D.); Katrisha Arocha, Our Lady of the Lake (Texas); Sierra Gallego, St. Gregory's (Okla.); Brittany Lang, William Carey (Miss.); Emily Lemin, Ave Maria (Fla.); Kortney Loar, Concordia (Mich.).

Player Nominees: Shae Boyd, Park (Mo.); Kori Ballard, St. Andrews (N.C.); Ashley Van Horne, College of Idaho; Sara Kreitzer, Indiana Wesleyan; Jenna Jorgenson, Concordia (Calif.); Molly Madsen, Concordia (Neb.); Cheyenne Dalrymple, Peru State (Neb.); Lydia Budke, Ottawa (Kan.); Cadie Povaleri, Indiana Southeast; Emily Nicholson, Cumberland (Tenn.); Kate Martino, Waldorf (Iowa); Bri Zerley, William Penn (Iowa); Brenda Botzenhart, Presentation (S.D.); Brittany Stone, Our Lady of the Lake (Texas); Kyndra Holasek, Oklahoma City; Lauren Shaw, Auburn Montgomery (Ala.); Kim Pierce, Southeastern (Fla.); Kortney Loar, Concordia (Mich.).

2014 Softball Weekly Honors (Player, Pitcher):
Week 1 (March 18): Hannah Gardner, Olivet Nazarene (Ill.); Nicole Nonnemacher, Saint Xavier (Ill.)