LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Texas’ Katie Stewart and Stanford NiJaree Canady earned 2024 Division I Louisville Slugger/NFCA Player and Wilson/NFCA Pitcher of the Week honors for their outstanding performances last week (April 22-28).
Over four games, Stewart hit .727 with a double, three home runs, 11 RBI and four runs scored. She slugged 1.727 and recorded a .769 on-base percentage. Stewart opened the week with a double, home run and four RBI in a victory over Nicholls. During a three-game sweep of Iowa State, the freshman posted a pair of 3-for-3 games, each with a home run and three RBI. Splitting time between first base and catcher, Stewart posted a perfect fielding percentage and played a part of Texas’ 1.46 ERA last week.
Canady was critical in Stanford’s series win over then-No. 8 Washington. The sophomore hurler earned both wins with a pair of complete-game outings, striking out 18 Huskies and surrendering a run in each contest. In the series opener, she fanned 11 and walked just one in a four-hitter. Canady worked around five walks and three base hits, but did strike out seven to help clinch the series.
The Division I Louisville Slugger/NFCA Player and Wilson/NFCA Pitcher of the Week are voted on by the NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll Committee.
Selected Top Performances
Julia Apsel, Hofstra - 3 App/3 GS, 3-0, 0.67 ERA, 26 strikeouts, .145 batting average allowed, 3 BB, 21 IP, 3 CG, 1 perfect game; Rissa Bajusz, Western Michigan - 3 App/2GS, 2-1, 0.00 ERA, 2 CG, 7 SO, Opp. BA .118; Chloe Barber, Wichita State - 2 App/2 GS, 1-1, 0.54 ERA, 17 SO, 3 BB, 5 H, 1 R, 13.0 IP; Allison Boaz, Boston University - 3 GP/3 GS, 3-0, 0.00 ERA, 19 SO, 2 BB, 17.0 IP, .175 Opp. Bavg., 6 GP/6 GS, .286 avg., 2 2Bs, 2 HRs, 7 RBIs, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 SF, .312 OB%, .857 SLG%; Caitlin Coker, Boston University - 6 GP/6 GS, .619 avg., 1 2B, 3 HRs, 6 RBIs, 9 R, 2 SB, 1 HBP, 1 SF, 1.095 SLG%; Payton Kelly, Western Michigan - 3 GP/ 3GS, 10 PA, 9 AB, .444 BA, 4 H, 1 R, SLG .556, OBP .500 2B: 1, BB 1, SB 1, 2B 1, TB 5; Lexi Kilfoyl, Oklahoma State - 2 app/2 GS, 2-0, 1.17 ERA, 10 SO, 1 BB, 12 IP; Morgan Leinstock, Arkansas - 2 App/1 GS, 1-0, 1 CG, 1 SV, 0.00 ERA, 7.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 SO, 1 BB, .120 opponent batting average; Rachel Marsden, Saint Francis (Pa.) - 2 App/2 GS, 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 11 SO, 13 IP, 4 GP/ 4 GS, .500 avg, 3 R, 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 RBI, .900 slg; Annie Mueller, Missouri State - 4 GP/4 GS, .467 avg., 4 HR, 8 RBI, 5 R, 1.267 SLG, 19 TB, .467 OB%; Sharlize Palacios, UCLA - 4 GP/3 GS, .600 avg., 3 HR, 11 RBI, 1.500 SLG; Natalia Puchino, Creighton - 3 App/2 GS, 2-0, 1 S, 0.88 ERA, 13 SO, 2 BB, 16.0 IP; Danielle Steward, Northern Illinois - 2 App, 2 GS, 1 CG, 0.00 ERA, 1 Shutout, 10 IP, 2 BB, 17 SO, 0 Hits Allowed, 1 win; Claire Timm, Oklahoma State - 3 GP/3 GS, .375 avg, 1 2B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, .875 SLG; Alyssa Trejo, UNLV - 3 GP/3GS, .600 AVG, 1 2B, 4 RBI, .700 SLG, .667 OB%; Becca Vaillancourt, Hofstra - 4 GP/4 GS, .545 avg., 6 H, 4 2B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 2 R, 1.182 SLG, .571 OBP; Lily West, Creighton - 4 GP/4 GS, .538 BA, .846 SLG., 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 4 R.
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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