SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? Furman centerfielder Meredith Mielke has been tabbed the Southern Conference softball Player of the Week while teammate Lana Mackey has been named the league’s Pitcher of the Week for March 17.

 

Mielke batted .438 (7-for-16) on the week as the Lady Paladins went 4-2. The Matthews, N.C., native belted her first two career home runs in back-to-back innings, including a fourth-inning grand slam in Furman’s 13-3 win over Gardner-Webb. The sophomore equaled Furman school records with two homers and six RBI in a game while the Paladins set school records for homers in a game (4) and grand slams in an inning (2). Mielke earned Winthrop Invitational All-Tournament honors after leading Furman to a 3-1 record. She drove in seven runs in the tournament.

 

Sophomore Lana Mackey pitched Furman to three wins last week. Mackey compiled a 1.35 ERA in 26 innings of work, allowing just five earned runs while striking out 16 batters. The Perry, Ga., native also hammered a grand slam in the Lady Paladins’ victory over Gardner-Webb and hit the game-winning homer in the bottom of the sixth in Furman’s 1-0 win versus Charlotte.

 

Other top hitters this week included Appalachian State’s Stephanie Long, Chattanooga’s Michelle Fuzzard, College of Charleston’s Tiffany Harmon, Elon’s Melanie Helterbran and Georgia Southern’s Robyne Siliga. Among the top pitchers this week were Appalachian State’s Kayla Richardson, Chattanooga’s Brooke Loudermilk, Elon’s Samantha Schroeder and Georgia Southern’s Kristan Glover.

 

 

2008 Softball Players of the Week

Feb. 18       Katie Boyd, Appalachian State

Feb. 25       Katie Blevins, Chattanooga

March 3      Kristie Shifflett, College of Charleston

March 10     Robyne Siliga, Georgia Southern

March 17     Meredith Mielke, Furman

 

2008 Softball Pitchers of the Week

Feb. 18       Pam DelPizzo, Elon

Feb. 25       Lana Mackey, Furman

March 3      Melissa Laliberte, Georgia Southern

March 10     Melissa Laliberte, Georgia Southern

March 17     Lana Mackey, Furman