SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – For the second time in three weeks, it’s South Dakota that swept the TicketSmarter Summit League Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week honors, with Tatum Villotta earning the Player of the Week and Clara Edwards garnering the Pitcher of the Week, league officials announced on Monday.
 
Villotta led the Coyotes to a 4-1 record at the FIU Invitational where recorded a .400 batting average (6-for-15) with a .733 slugging percentage and a .444 on-base percentage. The Blair, Neb., native’s weekend was highlighted by an inside-the-park grand slam in leading USD to a 13-3 win against FIU. In the victory against the Panthers, Villotta scored three times and posted a 1.400 slugging percentage. In total, the freshman infielder recorded six RBI, two doubles, scored five runs with two walks and posted a sacrifice fly.
 
Edwards was dominant in the circle, as the freshman hurler allowed one earned run while pitching in three seven-inning games at the FIU Invitational. The Blair, Neb., native collected a 0.33 ERA while striking out 25 batters in 21 innings pitched. Edwards struck out a season-high eight batters en route to a 13-3 triumph over Florida International. She also tossed a two-hit shutout in a 4-0 win against Drexel and collected the win against Stony Brook where she held batters to a 1.54 batting average.
  
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Tatum Villotta, South Dakota
Fr. | Second Base | Blair, Neb.

• Batted .400 (6-for-15) with two doubles and a inside-the-park grand slam in leading the Coyotes at the FIU Invitational
• Drove in six runs while scoring five more with two walks and a sacrifice fly
• Finished the weekend with a .733 slugging percentage and a .444 on-base percentage
• This is the first career Summit League weekly accolade for Villota

Also nominated: Nicole Licea (North Dakota State); Izzy Eltze (Omaha); Jocelyn Kirk (North Dakota); Allison Yoder (South Dakota State)
 
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Clara Edwards, South Dakota
Fr. | Pitcher/Utility | Clay Center, Kan.

• Allowed one earned run while pitching three seven-inning complete games in leading USD to a 4-1 record at the FIU Invitational
• Racked up 25 strikeouts in 21 innings with a 0.33 ERA
• Struck out a season-high eight batters in a 13-3 win against FIU
• This is the second Summit League weekly honor for Edwards this season

Also nominated: Paige Vargas (North Dakota State); Jannay Jones (North Dakota); Tori Kniesche (South Dakota State)
 
2022 Softball Weekly Award Winners
February 14
Player: Bela Goerke, South Dakota
Pitcher: Clara Edwards, South Dakota
 
February 21
Player: Emilee Buringa, North Dakota State
Pitcher: Kamryn Meyer, Omaha
 
February 28
Player: Tatum Villotta, South Dakota
Pitcher: Clara Edwards, South Dakota

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