Final Softball Weekly Award Winners Announced
MAAC Sports
MAAC Player of the Week
Kate Bowen, Manhattan, So., P/IF, 5-6, Newtown, Conn./Newtown
Bowen led the Jaspers to a 3-3 week, going 6-for-18 at the plate while also compiling a 2-1 record in the circle. After tossing eight innings of two-hit, shutout ball against Fairfield on Saturday, she won the game with a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of eighth. Bowen then belted another home run in game two of a doubleheader sweep at Saint Peter's on Sunday. She scored four runs and drove in three in the twinbill. Bowen also got the start in the circle in game two of the doubleheader, striking out five Peahens in the complete game victory.
MAAC Pitcher of the Week
Kim Bryson, Niagara, So., P, 5-7, Perrysburg, Ohio
Bryson was strong in the circle for Niagara this weekend, going 2-1 with a 0.59 earned-run average. She pitched in 35.2 innings of the 43 innings that Niagara played in this past week, including two complete games and two extra-inning games. The Ohio native went the distance in a 10-inning loss to Canisius and a 12-inning win over Rider. Bryson gave up just four runs (three earned) in 35.2 innings of work, including giving up no runs in the last 25.2 innings of play. She struck out 20 batters this weekend, en route to two shutout wins. Bryson finished the season with a career-high 160 strikeouts, 18 short of tying Niagara's single-season record.
MAAC Rookie of the Week
Sammy Ruffolo, Fairfield, Fr., OF, Deerfield Beach, Fla./Stoneman Douglas HS
Ruffolo batted .545 over four games with six hits in 11 at-bats as the Stags posted a 3-1 record in MAAC play. She had at least one hit in all four games, highlighted by three against Siena in the opening game. Ruffolo also scored three runs, including the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth against Siena. She started that rally with a single to lead off the inning.