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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - April 30, 2008 - After leading the Springfield College softball team to its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2000, Michelle Wlosek and Samantha Rhodes have been honored by both the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC). and the New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association.
Wlosek has been tabbed the NEWMAC and NEISCA Player of the Week, while Rhodes was honored as the Pitcher of the Week by the NEWMAC, and the Co-Pitcher of the Week by the NEISCA.
Last week, Rhodes simply carried the team as she went 5-1 on the mound and threw every pitch in the NEWMAC Tournament. Rhodes, now 22-5 on the season, is Springfield's first 20-game winner since 2003. In 43 innings pitched, Rhodes had an ERA of 1.95, but what was even more impressive, was her strikeout to walk ratio of 10:1. On the week, Rhodes struck out 30 batters while just walking three. She went 5-0 in a little over a 24-hour period last Saturday and Sunday.
Wlosek led the Pride to its first trip to the NCAA tournament since 2000 as she hit .385 on the week. She recorded 10 hits, a pair of home runs, and a team-best five RBI on the week. With a slugging percentage of .692, Wlosek came up big when it counted, as she accounted for both of the Pride's RBI in the NEWMAC Championship game, a 2-1 win over Wellesley. The sophomore catcher was also terrific behind the plate defensively as well all week.
In the latest NEISCA Division III Coaches Poll, Springfield (29-15) is ranked fourth, trailing only Endicott (35-4), Tufts (25-8), and Wellesley (26-8-1). Rounding out the Top 10 are Eastern Connecticut State (24-10), Western Connecticut State (28-11), Brandeis (33-8-1), Wheaton (29-14), Bridgewater State (23-15), and Rivier (24-12). Springfield was ranked 9th by the NEISCA last week.
published: 04/28/2008
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