IRVING, Texas – The American Conference has announced the winners of the league’s weekly softball awards for the week ending Sunday, March 8.
 
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Sydney Rainford, Fr., P, East Carolina
Rainford threw a pair of complete-game shutouts in wins against Wichita State, allowing four total hits, walked four, and struck out three. Rainford allowed one hit, two walks with one strikeout in the five-inning win Saturday, followed by seven-inning win on Sunday, yielding three hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
 
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Makayla Madrid, R-So., 1B, UTSA
Madrid hit .467 (8-for-14) with three home runs, three doubles and six RBI in four wins last week. Madrid had a pair of three-hit games to help power a conference sweep over Tulsa.
 
HONORABLE MENTION
Taylor Jones, So., P, Charlotte
Earned a complete-game win over Florida Atlantic, allowing five hits and one run, striking out six.
 
Ainsley Lambert, Gr., P, Florida Atlantic
Lambert helped the Owls to three wins out of the bullpen, pitching 7.2 innings, allowing three hits, striking out six and earning one save.
 
Kylie Hammonds, R-Jr., OF, Florida Atlantic
Hammonds hit .636 (7-for-11) with three home runs, four RBI, and two stolen bases in four games for the Owls.
 
Karhys Pierce, So., 2B, South Florida
Pierce hit .667 (6-for-9) with three multi-hit games, three runs scored, and two RBI.
 
Arlette Hernandez, Fr., P, UTSA
Tossed two complete-game victories for the Roadrunners, with 14 strikeouts in 14 innings.