WIU's Valentine, NDSU's Bakke Earn Weekly Awards

WIU's Valentine, NDSU's Bakke Earn Weekly Awards

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PLAYER

Samantha Valentine, Western Illinois

Sr., 1B, Jacksonville, Ill./Jacksonville HS

Valentine collects Player of the Week honors after batting .706 to lead the Westerwinds to a 3-2 record last week. The senior was 12-of-17 with seven runs and 10 RBI on the week. She also walked three times. In a win over Northern Illinois, she was 3-for-3 with a home run. In the first game vs. the Jacks, Valentine was 3-for-3 with four RBI. She closed out the week with three RBI in a 3-for-4 performance in the second game vs. SDSU on Sunday.

Also nominated: Haley Bassett, Centenary; Abby Liden, IPFW; Jenna Crockett, IUPUI; Richel Briones, North Dakota State; Julie Owen, Oakland; Dani Broshar, South Dakota State; Lindi Kennedy, Southern Utah.

Previous winners: April 7 - Kiley Schwedhelm, South Dakota State; March 31 - Tara Mickelson, IPFW; March 24 - Lauren Flowers, Centenary; March 17 - Caitlin Lynch, Oakland; March 12 - Melissa Chmielewski, North Dakota State; March 3 - Angela Righetti, Oakland; Feb. 25 - Aimee Enzler, North Dakota State; Feb. 19 - Laurel Pipkin, North Dakota State; Feb. 11 - Melissa Chmielewski, North Dakota State.

PITCHER

Allison Bakke, North Dakota State

Sr., RHP, Anoka, Minn./Anoka HS

Bakke receives Pitcher of the Week honors for the fifth time this season after picking up both of North Dakota State's wins in a weather-shortened series with Oakland last week. She struck out nine with no walks in a six-inning 11-1 win over the Golden Grizzlies in the first game. She then pitched 2.2 scoreless innings of relief in a 5-2 nine-inning win in the second game. For the week, she posted a 0.81 ERA after allowing just one run on six hits with 13 strikeouts and three walks. Bakke is now 20-5 this season with two saves and an 1.62 ERA.

Also nominated: Amanda Olender, IPFW; Jessica Granger, Oakland; Kristina Brooks, Southern Utah; Lori Pankratz, Western Illinois.

Previous winners: April 7 - Stacy Whitmer, Centenary; March 31 - Allison Bakke, North Dakota State; March 24 - Lauren Highsmith, Centenary; March 17 - Ryan Thacker, Centenary; March 12 - Allison Bakke, North Dakota State; March 3 - Ryan Thacker, Centenary; Feb. 25 - Ryan Thacker, Centenary; Feb. 19 - Allison Bakke, North Dakota State; Feb. 11 - Allison Bakke, North Dakota State.