GNAC Softball Report: Week 2

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Christie Bott, Simmons (Jr, C - Seaford, N.Y.)

In eight games, the junior hit safely in the first seven contests and did not record an official at-bat in the eighth game, while putting together a .591 (13-22) average to go with a .586 OBP that included four walks and a robust slugging mark of 1.136 fueled by two home runs, a triple and four doubles as part of a 1.722 OPS for the week. The catcher recorded at least one RBI in seven of eight games and also knocked in 14 runs and scored three runs, while not striking out in 29 plate appearances. She was also perfect in the field, handling all 17 chances without an error and only allowed one stolen base. She began the week by going 3-3 with a double and a run batted in to go it a run scored vs. Nebraska Wesleyan on March 9. She came back later in the day to knock in another run in a 1-4 effort against Gordon . Bott was 3-3 with a walk and a double and a triple and drove in four runs against Plymouth State on March 11 and then went 2-3 with a double and a homer to drive in three runs and score once in addition to working a walk vs. Delaware Valley. Bott was 2-4 with a double vs. Bates College on March 12 and was 1-3 with a run scored and a home run against Carroll , which stood as the only run the starting pitcher had given up on the season over a total of 42.2 IP. She capped the week by going 1-2 with two runs batted in vs. Montclair State on March 13. Later that night, she knocked two runs on sacrifice flies and also drew a pair of walks.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Maddie Castigliego, Simmons (So, P - Bristol, R.I.) 

In six appearances, the sophomore made three starts, while going 5-0 with a save. The right-hander allowed just three earned runs on 20 hits in 32 innings to post a 0.66 ERA, while opponents hit just .180 (20-111) off of her. She struck out 11 and issued just four walks and enjoyed a stretch where she only allowed one unearned over 27.2 IP during the week. She began the week by hurling a one-hit seven-inning shutout over Gordon on March 9 and also struck out three batters to earn the victory. Castigliego began March 11 by giving up one unearned run in seven complete innings and struck out two to gain the victory against Plymouth State. She was summoned later in the day to hurl the final two innings of relief against Delaware Valley and earned the save after yielding one hit and one walk to go with a strikeout. She was brilliant in a seven-inning complete game win over Bates on March 12, scattering six hits and a base on balls in addition to fanning a pair of batters in a 1-0 decision for her second shutout of the week. The second-year player capped the week by winning a pair of games in relief. She threw the final four innings in a 3-1 win over Montclair State, giving up no runs on two hits and two walks to go with two strikeouts to pick up the win on March 13. She also tossed the final five frames in relief in a win over Bridgewater State, allowing three runs on seven hits and struck out a batter to gain the victory.

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Janelle Franklin, Albertus Magnus (Fr., IF/OF - Middletown, Conn.)

The first-year hit safely in five of six games for the Falcons and batted .588 (10-17) to go with a .632 on-base percentage and a .647 slugging percentage for an OPS of 1.279. The rookie knocked in four RBI, doubled, scored seven runs and drew in two walks. She struck out three times over 17 at bats. She opened the week with a season-high three-hit, two-RBI performance in the 6-3 win over Medialle. Franklin came back the next two games with back-to-back two hit performances before capping the week with a combined three-hit showing.