SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The South Dakota State sophomore duo of infielder Cheyanne Masterson and pitcher Tori Kniesche collected the latest TicketSmarter Summit League Player and Pitcher of the Week accolades, respectively, league officials announced on Monday.
Masterson had quite the hitting display against St. Thomas in a three-game series sweep, as she hit .750 (6-for-8) with a 1.875 slugging percentage and a .778 on-base percentage. The Hartford, S.D., native opened her week going 3-for-3 with two singles and a home run, driving in three runs.
In the second game of the series, she belted a pair of home runs, driving in another trio of runs. The series finale saw Masterson record a single and score a run. Masterson ranks second in the League with 13 home runs behind teammate Cylie Halvorson and ranks first in league play with nine home runs.
Kniesche was lights out in the circle for SDSU, as the Wayne, Neb., native opened her week with a five-inning no-hitter against St. Thomas, striking out 13 batters. She walked two batters and picked up her 14
th win of the season.
In her second appearance, she made NCAA Division I softball history, becoming one of two pitchers in the country this season to strikeout 20+ batters in a seven-inning game and one of 14 in NCAA Division I history. She walked just one batter in that game and picked up her second-straight no-hitter. The only ball in play during the game resulted in a foul out to third base. In total, Kniesche fired her third no-hitter of the season and the fifth of her career.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Cheyanne Masterson, South Dakota State
So. | Infield | Hartford, S.D.
- Belted .750 (6-for-8) against St. Thomas with six RBI, five runs and three home runs
- Hit two home runs in the second game of the series and one in the series opener
- Recorded a 1.1875 slugging percentage and a .778 on-base percentage
- This is the first career Summit League weekly award for Masterson
Also nominated: Aly Vonfeldt (Kansas City); Jordyn Pender (South Dakota); Lynsey Tucker (Omaha); Madi Moore (North Dakota); Avery Wysong (North Dakota State)
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
So. | Pitcher | Wayne, Neb.
- Set a new career high and matched the SDSU record with 13 strikeouts in her first appearance against St. Thomas in a five-inning no-hitter
- Topped that performance with a 20-strikeout program in a seven-inning no-hitter, a new program record
- Walked two batters in her first appearance and one in her second game
- One of two pitchers in the country this season to strikeout 20+ batters in a seven-inning game and one of 14 in NCAA Division I history
- This is the seventh career Summit League weekly honor for Kniesche
Also nominated: Clara Edwards (South Dakota); Kamryn Meyer (Omaha); Lainey Lyle (North 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
April 4
Player: Rozelyn Carrillo, South Dakota State
Pitcher: Kamryn Meyer, Omaha
April 11
Player: Jamie White, Omaha
Pitcher: Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
April 18
Player: Rozelyn Carrillo, South Dakota State
Pitcher: Kamryn Meyer, Omaha
April 25
Player: Jamie White, Omaha
Pitcher: Kamryn Meyer, Omaha
May 2
Player: Cheyanne Masterson, South Dakota State
Pitcher: Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
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