The Southern Conference today named Furman’s Amber Kiser its softball Player of the Week and Georgia Southern’s Melissa Laliberte its Pitcher of the Week for the week ending May 7. The honor is the second straight Pitcher of the Week nod for Laliberte and her third of the campaign.

Kiser, a freshman outfielder, hit .692 (9-for-13) for Furman last week in a three-game set with Chattanooga. Kiser also garnered one RBI, a triple and plated two runs in the series.

The Huntersville, NC, native hit safely in seven out of 10 attempts from the plate in a twinbill with the Lady Mocs last Saturday, going 4-for-6 in the first game and 3-for-4 in the nightcap. Kiser, who also swiped two bases in the series, concluded the three-game set on Sunday by tallying two hits and scoring a run in Furman’s 8-5 win over Chattanooga.

A sophomore pitcher from Cobourg, Ontario, Canada, Laliberte went 2-0 last week for the Eagles, throwing two shutouts. In total, Laliberte tossed 14.0 innings against Western Carolina, acquiring a 0.00 ERA for the second consecutive week.

Laliberte, who struck out 13 in her two victories over Western Carolina, concluded the regular season first in the conference in ERA (1.93 ) and opponents batting average (.200).

Others considered for the Player of the Week award included Appalachian State’s Kristyn Hurt (hit .586 in series at Elon), College of Charleston’s Jayme Durand (.571 batting average in sweep of UNCG), Elon’s Debbie Zeigler (.375 batting average in 2-1 series win over ASU) and Western Carolina’s Jenny Jackson (.429 batting average and 1-1 record from inside the circle in series with GSU).

Those who received consideration for Pitcher of the Week included College of Charleston’s Shannon Howard (2-0 week with 1.00 ERA in series with UNCG), Furman’s Blake Murray (threw 18.0 innings and allowed just two earned runs in two appearances against Chattanooga, collecting a 0.39 ERA), and Western Carolina’s Mendy McKenzie (pitched 6.0 innings in 1-0 loss to Georgia Southern, striking out six).