GLIAC -- The Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) has announced its weekly softball awards following week nine of the 2023 season. Saginaw Valley State senior Jackie Popko was named player of the week and Grand Valley State redshirt senior Hannah Beatus was recognized as pitcher of the week.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Jackie Popko, Saginaw Valley State
Senior outfielder Jackie Popko had a big week for SVSU as she led the team in RBI (8), Home runs (3), and slugging percentage (1.455). Her three runs scored put her in a tie for first in the Cardinal record book for career runs scored at 159. She earned runs 158 and 159 off of home runs as she helped lead the Cardinals to a 5-1 showing this week and keep the second spot secure in the GLIAC standings.
PITCHER OF THE WEEK - Hannah Beatus, Grand Valley State
Hannah Beatus tossed a combined 15 innings last week and won all three of her starts. She totaled 15 strikeouts, growing her conference leading season total to 100 strikeouts. Beatus did not allow a run in her three starts. All three of her outings were five-inning complete game shutouts in run-rule victories. Beatus is the nation’s leader in ERA with a 0.46 mark on the season. She is also third in the country, allowing 0.68 walks/hits per inning pitched (WHIP).
HONORABLE MENTION
PLAYER: Evelyn Blood (FSU), Lydia Goble (GVSU), Becky Hodder (WSU), Mia Johnson (Parkside), Selena Michko (PNW), Gabby Palazzolo (DU)
PITCHER: Alexis Bonk (WSU), Emily Depew (SVSU), Aryn Gallacher (FSU), Taylor Shaw (Parkside)
