PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The American Athletic Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly softball honors for the week ending Sunday, March 8.
Player of the Week
Olivia Sappington * R-Jr. * 1B/OF * UConn
Sappington enjoyed an explosive weekend as the UConn designated player during a 4-1 showing for the Huskies at the JMU Invitational in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Sappington batted .588 with three home runs, 11 RBI, a 1.706 OPS and four runs in five starts that included two wins over No. RV James Madison and a run-rule shutout of California. Sappington batted .636 with runners in scoring position during the weekend to go along with four multiple-hit games and four multi-RBI outings. She opened the tournament a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored against Siena (March 6) before smashing two home runs and driving in three runs later that day against JMU (March 6). Sappington contributed a hit and two RBI the following day in a run-rule win over JMU (March 7) before closing the weekend 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI in a five-inning victory against Cal (March 8).
Pitcher of the Week
Georgina Corrick * Jr. * RHP * USF
Corrick was named the conference pitcher of the week for the third straight time after compiling a 4-0 record and 0.59 ERA in four appearances (three starts) during the USF Tournament in Tampa. Over 23.2 innings of work, Corrick yielded a .182 batting average against and struck out 37 batters against just four walks. After allowing one hit in 1.2 innings of relief to earn the win against UMass (March 6), Corrick threw a two-hit shutout with no walks and eight strikeouts later in the day against Iowa State (March 6). Throwing an incredible 173 pitches against No. RV Wisconsin (March 7), she went the full eight innings and equaled a program record with 18 strikeouts in a 2-1 USF win. Corrick finished the tournament by allowing two earned runs in a complete game start against Iowa State (March 8), walking two with eight punch-outs. Over a conference-high 90.1 innings pitched thus far this season, Corrick leads The American in wins (11), strikeouts (120) and strikeouts looking (41), ranking second in ERA (1.39) and fifth in batting average against (.188).
Weekly Honor Roll
Baylee Smith * Jr. * OF * Memphis
Batted a team-high .833 with two doubles, five RBI, three stolen bases and two runs in three wins at the UofM Softball Tournament; logged two hits, two stolen bases, an RBI and a run against Western Carolina (March 6) and drove in three runs against Butler (March 7)
Chyanne Ellett * Fr. * RHP * Memphis
Went 2-0 with a 1.27 ERA in three appearances (two starts) for Memphis at the UofM Softball Tournament; allowed an unearned run on one hit with five strikeouts in four innings against Western Carolina (March 6) and struck out nine over six innings during a win over Butler (March 7)
Madison Perrigan * Sr. * C * Wichita State
Became The American career home run leader (36 career) and batted .467 with four home runs, eight RBI and seven runs in six games last week for Wichita State; smashed two home runs and logged four RBI against Kansas City (March 6) and added a solo home run in each game against Kansas (March 6 and 8)
Ashleigh Inae * Jr. * INF * East Carolina
Batted .529 with four RBI, a .579 on-base percentage and five runs in a 3-2 East Carolina week at No. 25 Fresno State’s Bulldog Classic; went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs in a win over UC Davis (March 7) and reached base four times with two runs versus North Dakota State (March 8)
Brooke Leistl * R-Jr. * OF * USF
Led USF with a .714 batting average and contributed two stolen bases and four runs during a 5-1 week for the Bulls; finished 4-for-4 with a run against Iowa State (March 6) and added three hits with an RBI and a run scored against UMass (March 7)