SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota State’s Lindsey Culver and Tori Kniesche paced the Jackrabbits with impressive performances during their spring break trip in The Golden State en route to claiming this week’s TicketSmarter Summit League Player and Pitcher of the Week accolades, league officials announced on Monday. Culver earned the player of the week honor, while Kniesche received the pitcher of the week award.
Culver went 10-for-21 (.476) with 11 RBI across six wins last week and posted a .905 slugging percentage and a .478 on-base percentage. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa native recorded at least one hit and RBI in all six games and had 19 total bases.
She started her week off with a pair of hits in each win against Manhattan and the second game against the Jaspers was a big one, as she had a two-hit, four RBI performance in an 11-0 five-inning run-rule win. She belted a three-run homer in the opening inning and drove in another one on her next at-bat. Culver also had one three-hit performance against Loyola Marymount, as she drove in two runs and recorded a double.
Kniesche posted a 0.00 ERA in three games last week and picked up a pair of wins and a save in SDSU’s spring break trip. The Wayne, Neb., native opened her week against Manhattan by pitching two innings to preserve the Jacks’ 4-3 lead, earning the save. She struck out all five batters faced against the Jaspers.
Kniesche struck out eight batters in seven innings against CSUN and then 10 more in a six-inning run-rule victory over Loyola Marymount. In total, she walked just one batter in 15 innings of work and struck out 23 with a .176 opponent batting average.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Lindsey Culver, South Dakota State
So. | Infield | Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Went 10-for-21 (.476) in six wins while posting a .905 slugging percentage and a .478 on-base percentage
- Notched 19 total bases with 11 RBI, one home run, one triple and four doubles
- Recorded a hit and RBI in all six games in The Golden State
- This is the second career Summit League weekly award for Culver
Also nominated: Cameryn Maykut (North Dakota State); Brooke Ellestad (St. Thomas); Jordyn Pender (South Dakota); Izzy Haslett (North Dakota)
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
So. | Pitcher | Wayne, Neb.
- Posted a 0.00 ERA in three games last week, striking out 23 batters in 15 innings of work
- Held opponents to a .176 batting average and walked just one batter
- This is the fifth career and second straight Summit League weekly honor for Kniesche
Also nominated: Christina Crawford (St. Thomas); Paige Vargas (South Dakota State); Jackie Albrecht (North Dakota)
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
March 7
Player: Delainey Fenoglio, Kansas City
Pitcher: Kamryn Meyer, Omaha
March 14
Player: Aleesia Sainz, South Dakota
Pitcher: Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
March 21
Player: Lindsey Culver, South Dakota State
Pitcher: Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
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