UMKC Sweeps Initial Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week Awards
ELMHURST, Ill. - UMKC's Megan Ussary and Deanna Friese were
named Summit League Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week for
their performances during the week of Feb. 10-13. The awards mark
the first weekly honors of the season.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Megan Ussary, UMKC
Jr., Agency, Mo./Mid-Buchanan
Ussary earns her first career Player of the Week honor
after leading the Kangaroo offense to a 4-1 record on opening
weekend en route to capturing the 2011 Lion Classic title. She
recorded multiple-hit performances in four out of five games. The
third baseman was productive in clutch situations driving home the
winning run for UMKC against Southern and Southeastern Louisiana
and scoring the tying run against Nicholls State in a game that
went into extra innings. On the weekend, Ussary hit a .526 clip
(10-19) and a .842 slugging percentage with four extra-base hits,
including three doubles and a home run, eight RBI, six runs scored
and was a perfect two-for-two in stolen bases.
Also nominated: Chelsie Hale, IUPUI; Nicole Rivera, North
Dakota State; Emily Weber, South Dakota State; Heather Richardson,
Southern Utah; Brianna Williams, Western Illinois.
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Deanna Friese, UMKC
So., Kennesaw, Ga./Kennesaw Mountain
Friese garners her second career Pitcher of the Week award
after posting a 3-1 record with three complete games, while helping
UMKC win the 2011 Lion Classic. The right-handed hurler opened the
season tying a career-high 16 strikeouts in the Kangaroos' 10-4
victory over Jackson State. Friese picked up an extra-inning
victory in relief holding Nicholls State hitless and fanning three
batters in 1.2 innings of work. She ended the weekend with a 5-3
win over Southeastern Louisiana. For the weekend, Friese tallied
35 strikeouts averaging 10.5 per seven innings and gave up 14 hits,
while holding her opponents to a combined .173 average. She
recorded a 2.70 ERA in 23.1 innings pitched.
Also nominated: Nikki Thomas, IUPUI; Danielle Axe, Southern
Utah; Kelsey Michelini, Western Illinois.
- SUMMIT -
