LOUISVILLE, Ky. – UIndy’s Emily O’Connor and Minnesota Duluth’s Lauren Dixon were named 2023 Division II Louisville Slugger/NFCA Player and Wilson/NFCA Pitcher of the Week, respectively. The duo was recognized for their outstanding performances March 27-April 2.
O’Connor, who homered in six consecutive contests, paced the sixth-ranked Greyhounds’ offense over a seven-game stretch last week that saw UIndy run its win streak to 17 games. She batted .542 (13-for-24) with a pair of doubles, six home runs and 16 RBI. O’Connor slugged 1.417, scored nine runs and reached base at a .577 clip. She doubled, homered and drove in a season-best five runs in game one against Ohio Dominican. The junior third baseman added four more RBI and two runs scored in the doubleheader opener versus Quincy.
Dixon was pivotal during a 5-1 week for the Bulldogs. The junior southpaw posted a 3-0 mark, striking out 45 and scattering 10 hits over 22 scoreless innings of work. In three starts last week, Dixon fanned 42 as she twirled three consecutive three-hit shutouts. She matched a career high with 15 punchouts in a victory over Minot State. Dixon also struck out 14 and 13 batters in victories over Mary and St. Cloud State, respectively.
The Division II weekly awards are voted on by the NFCA Division II Top 25 Committee.
Selected Top Performances
Bella Andujar, Charleston - .545 (12-for-22), 3 2B, 7 R, 12 RBI, 1.636 SLG, 2.227 OPS; Hannah Bardeen, Converse - .667 (8-for-12), 2 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 6 R; Kai DeLeon, San Francisco State - .643, 2 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB, .737 OBP, 5 SB; Payton Doiron, Bentley – 3-1, 1.17 ERA, 23 K, 17 H, .200 opp BA, 24 IP; Gaige Garcia, Cal Poly Humboldt - 4 App/4 GS, 4-0, 0.97 ERA, 21.2 IP, 12 K, 3 BB, 3 ER, .211 Opp. BA; Tatum Goff, UT Tyler – 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 SHO, 9 K, 7 H, 12 IP; Brandi Haller, Colorado Mesa - .455, 2B, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 1.636 SLG, SB, .600 OBP, 2.236 OPS; Micaela Harris, Cal Poly Humboldt - .578 (11-for-19), 3 2B, 3B, 4 RBI, 6 R, 5 SB; Lindsey Hibbs, Adelphi – 4-1, SV, 0.25 ERA, 3 SHO, 37 K, 3 BB, .104 opp. BA; Lauren Hilbourn, UNC Pembroke - .625, 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 1.688 SLG; Becky Hodder, Wayne State University - .750 (6-for-8), 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, SB, 1.750 SLG; Maya Jones, Bridgeport - .545 (12-for-22), 3 2B, HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, .583 OBP; Kayleigh Jones, Oklahoma Baptist – 2-0, SV, 1.00 ERA, 14 K, 2 BB, 14 IP; Mallory Kinahan, Embry-Riddle – 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 7 K, 2 CG; Molly Koesters, Tiffin - .615, 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1.154 SLG, .688 OBP, 3 BB; Jordan Krause, Bentley - .500, 10 H, HR, 3B, 4 R, 5 RBI, 3 BB, .565 OBP, 1.315 OPS; Bailey Lacy Missouri Southern – 2-0, 2 SHO, 0.00 ERA, 23 K, 3 BB, .160 opp. BA, 14 IP; Lexi Lander, Augustana – 2-0, 12 K, 4 H, .087 opp. BA, 14 IP; Perfect game vs. Minnesota State; Sara Llama-Howell, Rogers State – 2-0, 0.75 ERA, ER, 15 K, BB, 12 IP; Taylor Macera, Valdosta State - .625, 5 H, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R; Kaitlyn Maddux, San Francisco State – 3-0, 3 CG, 1.33 ERA, 18 K, 21 IP; Hannah Marsteller, Shippensburg - .400, 4 H, 5 R, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 2B, 1.400 SLG, 5 BB, .600 OBP; Maddie Melton, UT Tyler - .556 (5-for-9), 4 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R, 1.889 SLG; Bridgett Morales, Rogers State - .545, 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 R, 1.182 SLG, .615 OBP; Delaney Morgan, Embry-Riddle - .778, HR, 4 R, 3 RBI, 1.111 SLG, .818 OBP; Delaney Patella, IUP - .700, 7 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI; Avery Perkins, Tampa - .500, 5 H, 5 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB; Samantha Richards, Valdosta State – 2-0, 0.54 ERA, SHO, 6 H, ER, BB, 16 K, .133 opp. BA; Allyson Wallauer, Post - .633, 19 H, 16 R, 3 2B, 4 3B, HR, 8 RBI, 1.100 SLG, 5 BB, .686 OBP; Paige Zigmund, East Stroudsburg – 2-0, 1.00 ERA, 8 K, BB, 14 IP.
Celebrating 40 years in 2023, the NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded Louisville Slugger/Player & Wilson/Pitcher of the Week awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from webinars to legal counsel, to in-person events and the National Convention.
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NFCA Division II Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week
