SPARTANBURG, S.C. – UNCG outfielder Emily Acquaviva and Furman ace Lindsey Bert have been named the Southern Conference Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for games held March 6-12, the league announced Monday. Selections are made by the Southern Conference office.
Acquaviva led the Spartans to a 3-2 week in wins over North Carolina, Winthrop and Campbell after going 7-for-16 (.438) from the plate and recording six RBIs. The sophomore achieved a .550 on-base percentage on the week, leading to four runs that Acquaviva scored for the Spartans.
In the Spartans’ 6-3 win over North Carolina on Wednesday, Acquaviva was a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate, recorded an RBI, run scored and stolen base, aiding the Spartans to notch their then-fifth win in a row. Acquaviva capped off her week by going 2-for-3 in the Spartans’ high scoring affair against Campbell on Sunday, leading the first-place Spartans to their 14th win on the season. The New Hartford, New York, native recorded three RBIs, one of which came off a double to center field in the bottom of the fourth inning. Acquaviva also came up with a timely single in the sixth inning when the Spartans were down, 10-7, which scored teammate Jasmine Palmer, who was at third base with one out. Acquaviva’s sixth inning single sparked an eight-run inning for the Spartans, which proved to be sufficient in UNCG’s 15-11 win over the Fighting Camels.
Bert garners her third Pitcher of the Week distinction after going 2-0 in three appearances over the course of 14 innings pitched for the Paladins, while surrendering just one earned run and four hits. Bert achieved an ERA of 0.48 and held opposing batters to a 0.80 batting average at the Puerto Rico Classico last week.
In the Paladins’ 4-0 win over Florida A&M on Thursday, Bert fanned six batters and surrendered just three hits without issuing a walk to collect her fourth shutout in 12 starts this season. In Furman’s final contest of the tournament against Albany on Saturday, Bert led the Paladins to a 3-1 win after recording 11 strikeouts, while allowing just one hit and did not walk a single batter in seven innings of work.
On the season, Bert leads the SoCon in ERA (1.86) and opposing batting average (.184).
Other nominees for player of the week: Tiffany Laughren (ETSU), Carolina Cash (Furman) and Taylor Miller (Mercer).
Other nominees for pitcher of the week: Alicia Bazonski (UNCG) and Grey Adams (Samford).
2017 Softball Players of the Week
Feb. 13 – Tiffany Laughren, ETSU, OF
Feb. 20 – Jasmine Palmer, UNCG, UT
Feb. 27 – Megan Lane, Mercer, C
March 6 – Abby Walsh, Mercer, OF
March 13 – Emily Acquaviva, UNCG, OF
2017 Softball Pitchers of the Week
Feb. 13 – Madison Ogle, ETSU
Feb. 20 – Lindsey Bert, Furman
Feb. 27 – Lindsey Bert, Furman
March 6 – Courtney Buchanan, Western Carolina
March 13 – Lindsey Bert, Furman
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