SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chattanooga’s Nicole Osterman and Mercer’s Kirsten Stevens have been named the Southern Conference Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, the league announced Monday. The selections are made by the Southern Conference office.
Osterman went 5-for-12 (.417) with a double, three home runs, five runs and seven RBIs in three games last week to lead Chattanooga to a three-game sweep over ETSU. The senior recorded a hit, a run and an RBI in each of the three games and is currently riding a five-game hitting streak.
Osterman opened the series with a bang, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, three runs and four RBIs in Saturday’s 11-0 win for the Mocs. She then hit another homer, her league-leading 10th of the season, in game one on Sunday while scoring a run and driving in two. The native of Kissimmee, Fla. wrapped up the series with a double, a run and RBI in game two on Sunday as UTC edged ETSU, 5-4.
Osterman leads the league in home runs (10) and ranks second in slugging percentage (.795). She takes the weekly honor for the second time this season.
Stevens went 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA over 14.0 innings pitched last weekend, as the Bears earned a SoCon series win over Western Carolina. The sophomore hurler tossed two complete games against the Catamounts, allowing just three runs on 15 hits with 14 strikeouts against no walks.
Stevens allowed two runs and scattered seven hits with seven strikeouts in the series opener on Saturday, as the Bears held off Western Carolina for the 3-2 victory. She then pitched Mercer to a 3-1 victory in the series finale on Sunday, allowing just one run on eight hits with seven strikeouts.
The native of Crystal Lake, Ill. leads the SoCon with 17 wins and 142 strikeouts this season. She claims the Pitcher of the Week honor for the third time this year.
Also nominated for Player of the Week: Taylor Rogers (Mercer), Megan Dowdy (Samford), Karley Harkey (Western Carolina)
Also nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Mollie Hanson (Samford), Taylor Deason (Chattanooga), Taylor Sigmon (Western Carolina)
2015 Softball Players of the Week
Feb. 9 – Natalie Shiver, Mercer
Feb. 16 – Caitlin Bice, Samford
Feb. 23 – Nicole Osterman, Chattanooga
Mar. 2 – Sieara Bishop, Furman
Mar. 9 – Nicole Thomas, UNCG
Mar. 16 – Riley Carter, Mercer
Mar. 23 – Courtney Price, Western Carolina
Mar. 30 – Nicole Osterman, Chattanooga
2015 Softball Pitchers of the Week
Feb. 9 – Mollie Hanson, Samford
Feb. 16 – Jordan Garrett, Western Carolina
Feb. 23 – Cori Jennings, Chattanooga
Mar. 2 – Kirsten Stevens, Mercer
Mar. 9 – Lindsey Bert, Furman
Mar. 16 – Kirsten Stevens, Mercer
Mar. 23 – Cori Jennings, Chattanooga
Mar. 30 – Kirsten Stevens, Mercer