GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced weekly softball awards following the opening week of the 2021 season. Saginaw Valley St. sophomore shortstop Sarah Gersch was named Player of the Week, while Ferris State freshman Mckenzie Cleland was selected Pitcher of the Week.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Sarah Gersch, Saginaw Valley State
The Cardinals had several outstanding performances throughout the three-day event, and sophomore Sarah Gersch has been honored with the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week award, it was announced by the league on Tuesday. The Plainfield, Ill., native went 9-of-19 at the plate with one double, three triples, one home run, and 10 RBIs, batting .474 and slugging 1.000. She racked up multiple hits in four of the five contests.
PITCHER OF THE WEEK - Mckenzie Cleland, Ferris State
Ferris State University freshman pitcher Mckenzie Cleland led the Bulldogs to an impressive 4-1 mark at the season-opening Lewis Dome Invitational over the weekend in Illinois. Cleland went 4-0 in the circle for the Bulldogs and tossed 25 total innings, allowing only four runs and 16 hits overall with 25 strikeouts and four walks. She posted a 0.56 earned run average and had only two earned runs for the weekend. Her performance included a 3-0 shutout victory over Lindenwood in her collegiate debut and she pitched all seven innings in three of her four appearances for the Bulldogs.
HONORABLE MENTION
PLAYER: Lindsay Goodman (DU), Emma Lawson (AU), Nikoma Holmen (GVSU), Grace Dutoi (NU), Paige Kortz (FSU), Dani Evans (UWP)
PITCHER: Ellie Muilenburg (DU), Kayla Ruperto (AU), Emily Depew(SVSU), Ashley Platek (GVSU), Shayna Frank (NU), Allison Hausl (UWP(