James, Jackson and White Named Softball Players of the Week
MAAC Sports
MAAC Player of the Week
Allyssa James, Iona, Sr., IF, 5-8, Sacramento, Calif./Foothill
James batted .462 (12-26) this past week as the Gaels went 7-2, including a perfect 6-0 in MAAC play. In game one against Manhattan, she went 1-4 with an RBI. Against Fordham, James had two of Iona's 17 hits along with two runs batted in as the Gaels handed the Rams their first home loss of the season, winning 6-2. In game one against Saint Peter's this weekend, James went 2-3 before going 3-3 with three runs batted in in game two. In a doubleheader with Siena this weekend, she went a combined 3-5, including a 2-3 effort in game two. Over the past twelve games, James has improved her batting average 75 points from .196 to .271 for the season and is leading the Gaels with .366 batting average in conference games.
MAAC Pitcher of the Week
Sarah Jackson, Iona, Sr., RHP, 5-8, Citrus Heights, Calif./Del Campo
Jackson pitched to an earned run average of 0.22 over five appearances, posting a mark of 4-1. Against Manhattan, Jackson went seven innings, allowing just one hit and striking out ten in a 7-0 Gaels win. In a relief appearance against Fordham, Jackson earned the win after allowing no runs, four hits and one walk in four innings in a 6-2 Gaels win. Against Rutgers, Jackson allowed one run and five hits while striking out nine, earning the tough luck loss in a 1-0 game. Against Saint Peter's, Jackson allowed five hits, one unearned and struck out eight in a 3-1 Gaels win. Jackson wrapped up the week with a complete game shutout against Siena, striking out 12 and allowing just three hits. It marked the third consecutive season she has recorded double digit strikeouts in her start against Siena.
MAAC Rookie of the Week
Melanie White, Marist, Fr., P, 6-0, Highlands Ranch, Colo./Rock Canyon
The freshman hurler had a strong week in the circle for Marist as the Red Foxes continued their pushed for a MAAC Tournament berth. She began her week with a win at Lafayette on April 26, as she went six innings and allowed just one run, while striking out two. On the weekend, she pitched in Game One versus Manhattan and went 4.2 innings, while striking out five batters. White began the game by retiring four of the first five Jasper batters via a strikeout. For the week, she went 1-1 with a 2.62 ERA in 10.2 innings pitched, allowing just four earned runs.