SPARTANBURG, S.C. - UNC Greensboro's Kaitlin Merkt has been tabbed the Southern Conference Softball Player of the Week, while Chattanooga's Brooke Loudermilk has been selected Pitcher of the Week for all games May 3-9. It marks Loudermilk's third honor of the season. The selections are made by the league office.
A redshirt-junior shortstop from Irvine, Calif., Merkt went 5-for-9 with three home runs and seven RBIs last week. She registered a slugging percentage of 1.556 and an on-base percentage of .600.
In UNC Greensboro's 5-3 game one win at Samford Saturday, Merkt hit .667 with a home run and three RBIs.
Sunday against the Bulldogs, Merkt went 3-for-3 and tallied four RBIs, a career best. She also hit two home runs, the first multi-homer game of her career. Merkt's three-run shot in the first inning gave the Spartans a 3-0 lead and she added a solo home run in the fourth to make it 4-0. Samford came back to edge UNCG 5-4.
With three round-trippers on the weekend, Merkt now has 23 for her career, the fourth-highest total in school history. She needs two more to move into third.
Loudermilk, a senior from Locust Grove, Ga., registered a 0.70 ERA and struck out 13 as Chattanooga went 2-1 against College of Charleston. Opposing batters hit just .066 against her last week.
In the 1-0 extra-innings victory in game one, Loudermilk combined with Nikki Waters and Kandice Irwin to throw UTC's first no-hitter since March 15, 2005. It marked the first time in the program's 17-year history that a no-hitter included extra innings.
Loudermilk pitched 2.2 innings of relief in the second game of the doubleheader, striking out five as the Lady Mocs fell to the Cougars, 4-3.
In the final game on Sunday, Loudermilk retired seven batters in 4.1 innings of work to earn her 17th victory of the season as UTC won 9-3.
With 852 career strikeouts to her credit, Loudermilk holds both the school and league records. She has a 1.98 ERA in 173.2 innings of work on the season.
Also receiving nominations for player of the week were Appalachian State's Megan Rembielak, College of Charleston's Kristie Shifflett, Elon's Jackie Gonzalez, Georgia Southern's Megen Smith, Samford's Amanda Barrs and Chattanooga's Brittany Eason.
Also nominated for pitcher of the week were Appalachian State's Louise Gibson, College of Charleston's Terri Mesko, Elon's Lauren Taylor, Georgia Southern's Megen Smith and Samford's Kayla Burris.
2010 Southern Conference Softball Player of the Week
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Feb. 15
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Emerald Graham, Elon
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Feb. 22
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Tiffany Baker, Chattanooga
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March 1
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McKenzie Phillips, Appalachian State
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March 8
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Katie England, Samford
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March 15
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Emerald Graham, Elon
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March 22
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Katie Boyd, Appalachian State
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March 29
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Jenny Side, Georgia Southern
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April 5
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Stephanie Field, Furman
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April 12
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Tia Blosser, Chattanooga
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April 19
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Kaitlyn Piazzolla, Elon
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April 26
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Alex Emeterio, UNC Greensboro
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May 3
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Nina Iduate, Georgia Southern
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May 10
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Kaitlin Merkt, UNC Greensboro
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2010 Southern Conference Softball Pitcher of the Week
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Feb. 15
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Lana Mackey, Furman
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Feb. 22
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Brooke Loudermilk, Chattanooga
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March 1
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Brooke Loudermilk, Chattanooga
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March 8
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Cory Mattson, UNC Greensboro
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March 15
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Brianna Streetmon, Georgia Southern
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March 22
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Kayla Suskauer, Furman
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March 29
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Amber Harrell, UNC Greensboro
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April 5
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Nikki Waters, Chattanooga
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April 12
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Kandice Irwin, Chattanooga
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April 19
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Amber Harrell, UNC Greensboro
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April 26
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Amber Harrell, UNC Greensboro
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May 3
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Amanda Barrs, Samford
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May 10
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Brooke Loudermilk, Chattanooga
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