SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – St. Thomas freshman shortstop Brooke Ellestad and South Dakota freshman pitcher Clara Edwards earned the latest TicketSmarter Summit League Player and Pitcher of the Week accolades, league officials announced on Monday.
Ellestad guided the Tommies to a series win at Western Illinois in what was the program's first conference matchup as a Summit League member. The Kimberly, Wis., native finished the series 7-for-11 (.636), scored three runs, drove in five RBI and registered one walk.
Ellestad went 5-for-8 in the first two games of the series, and her first day was highlighted by a three-hit, three-RBI performance in game one. In game two, she drove in two runs on two hits and scored a run. She capped the series with a 2-for-3 effort and drove in a run to help the Tommies secure the series win.
In total, Ellestad had a multi-hit game and scored a run in all three games over the weekend and posted a .636 slugging percentage with a .667 on-base percentage.
Edwards went 2-0 to open league play against North Dakota State, helping the Coyotes capture their first series win against NDSU since 2017 and snapped the Bison's 26-game winning streak in Vermillion.
The Clay Center, Kan., native tossed two six-hit complete-game wins in 14 innings of work. She started off her week going the distance where she allowed three runs on six hits with two strikeouts. In her second appearance, she captured the win in the rubber game allowing one extra-base hit with no earned run allowed. She held opponents to a .235 batting average and now has nine wins on the season, which ranks third in the league.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Brooke Ellestad, St. Thomas
Fr. | Shortstop | Kimberly, Wis.
- Went 7-for-11 (.636) in UST's series win at Western Illinois
- Posted a .636 slugging percentage, a .667 on-base percentage and drove in five runs
- Had a multi-hit game and scored a run in all three games over the weekend
- This is the first career Summit League weekly honor for Ellestad
Also nominated: Cameryn Maykut (North Dakota State); Kloe Hilbrenner (Kansas City); Chevelle Sartin (North Dakota); Lindsey Culver (South Dakota State)
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Clara Edwards, South Dakota
Fr. | Pitcher | Clay Center, Kan.
- Went 2-0 to open league play against NDSU, tossing two six-hit complete-game victories
- Allowed three earned runs in 14 innings and helped break the Bison's 26-game winning streak in Vermillion while helping USD win its first series against NDSU since 2017
- This is the third career Summit League weekly accolade for Edwards
Also nominated: Lainey Lyle (North Dakota State); Mia Hoveland (Kansas City); Jannay Jones (North Dakota); Grace Glanzer (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
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
March 28
Player: Brooke Ellestad, St. Thomas
Pitcher: Clara Edwards, South Dakota
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