SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Kansas City senior infielder Lia Lombardini has been named The Summit League Player of the Week, while South Dakota State freshman Tori Kniesche was named the Pitcher of the Week, league officials announced Monday.

Lombardini helped the Roos to a 4-1 record in the season-opening DePaul Dome Tournament where she ended the weekend with nine hits, nine RBI and seven runs scored in 18 at-bats. The Chesterton, Ind., native recorded two home runs on the weekend, including a walk-off two-run home run in the first game of the season against Loyola-Chicago in the bottom of the eighth inning. Lombardini also recorded four doubles and defensively, she ended with 36 puts outs on 36 chances for a 1.000 fielding percentage.

Kniesche picked up two wins on the weekend in the Doc Halverson UNI Dome Tournament, recording a 1.00 ERA with 23 strikeouts in a pair of seven-inning complete-game efforts. She made her collegiate debut against Drake and struck out 12 batters, allowing one run and three hits. The Wayne, Neb., native posted her second win of the season the following day against Northern Iowa as she fanned 11 hitters, giving up one run and three hits.
  
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Lia Lombardini, Kansas City
Sr. | Infield | Chesterton, Ind.

• Hit a walk-off, two-run home run in the season-opening game against Loyola-Chicago in the DePaul Dome Tournament
• Picked up nine hits, nine RBI, totaled two home runs, four doubles and scored seven runs in 18 at-bats
• Recorded a 1.000 fielding percentage going 36-for-36
• This is the first career Summit League weekly accolade for Lombardini

 Also nominated: Peyton Daugherty (South Dakota State), Jailene Carpio (North Dakota), Makayla Tsagalis (South Dakota), Sydney Hollings (Western Illinois), Rachel Weber (Omaha)
 
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
Fr. | Pitcher | Wayne, Neb.

• Recorded two wins at the season-opening Doc Halverson UNI Dome Tournament
• Posted a 1.00 ERA with 23 strikeouts in a pair of seven-inning complete-game efforts
• Made her collegiate debut against Drake and struck out 12 batters, allowing one run and three hits
• Fanned 11 strikeouts against Northern Iowa the following day, giving up one run and three hits

Also nominated: Jannay Jones (North Dakota), Mia Hoveland (Kansas City), Sarah Lisko (South Dakota), Savannah Rodriguez (Western Illinois), Kamryn Meyer (Omaha)
 
2021 Softball Weekly Award Winners
February 15
Player: Lia Lombardini, Kansas City
Pitcher: Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State

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