SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota State swept the latest TicketSmarter Summit League Softball Peak Performer and Pitcher of the Week awards, League officials announced on Monday. Emma Osmundson collected the Peak Performer of the Week while Tori Kniesche garnered the Peak Pitcher of the Week accolade.
Osmundson had a strong week at the plate for the Jackrabbits, who closed out a long stay in Texas. The Sioux Falls, S.D., native went 10-for-21 (.476) over a seven-game span for SDSU in which she scored three runs, hit three doubles and produced five RBI in games at Stephen F. Austin and the Texas State-hosted I-35 Tournament.
In the second game of a doubleheader against the Lumberjacks, Osmundson totaled four hits in five at-bats and the following game against New Mexico State, she drove in the game-winning run with a double in the bottom of the seventh inning, leading SDSU to a 3-2 victory. In total, Osmundson registered a .762 slugging percentage and a .577 on-base percentage as SDSU went 4-3 during the week.
Kniesche picked up the win all three games she pitched in last week in the Lone Star State, including a pair of complete-game shutouts. The Wayne, Neb., native went nine scoreless in the win against Stephen F. Austin where she gave up just three hits and struck out seven batters.
Against Texas State, Kniesche produced a seven-inning shutout with another seven-strikeout game, while yielding only two hits. Kniesche equaled her season-high with nine strike outs in her third win of the week against Abilene Christian. In total, she held opponents to a .116 batting average, while striking out 23 in 21 innings of work.
PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Emma Osmundson, South Dakota State
Jr. | Outfield | Sioux Falls, S.D.
- Went 10-for-21 (.455) with a home run, three doubles, scored three times, walked four times and drove in five runs over a seven-game span
- Registered a .762 slugging percentage and a .577 on-base percentage
- Drove in the winning run that led to an SDSU 3-2 win over New Mexico State
- This is the second career Summit League weekly award for Osmundson
Also nominated: Maggie O’Brien (Omaha), Bela Goerke (South Dakota), Kiki McCrea (Kansas City), Carley Goetschius (North Dakota State).
PEAK PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
Jr. | Pitcher | Wayne, Neb.
- Went 3-0 with a 1.66 ERA in 21 innings of work in the Lone Star State
- Struck out 23 batters, including equaling her season-high with nine in a win over Abilene Christian
- Earned shutout victories at Stephen F. Austin (nine innings) and vs. Texas State (seven innings)
- This is the ninth career Summit League weekly accolade for Kniesche
Also nominated: Kamryn Meyer (Omaha), Clara Edwards (South Dakota), Audrey Danielson (Kansas City), Paige Vargas (North Dakota State).
2023 Softball Weekly Award Winners
February 13
Peak Performer: Bela Goerke, South Dakota
Co-Peak Pitcher: Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
Co-Peak Pitcher: Savannah Rodriguez, Western Illinois
February 20
Peak Performer: Emma Osmundson, South Dakota State
Peak Pitcher: Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
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