SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – St. Thomas first baseman Katie Goelz and North Dakota State pitcher Paige Vargas received the latest TicketSmarter Summit League Softball Peak Performer and Pitcher of the Week awards, respectively, league officials announced on Monday.
Goelz made five starts for the Tommies at first base, going 8-for-18 (.444) with two home runs, six RBI, five runs and one double along four stolen bases. Goelz got her weekend started by going 2-for-3 with a double against Bowling Green. In St. Thomas' two wins against Purdue Fort Wayne, Goelz hit a home run in each game. The Maple Grove, Minn., native also played a strong first base where she converted 40 putouts over five games. In total, Goelz registered an .833 slugging percentage and a .444 on-base percentage.
Vargas led the Bison in the circle by pitching 13 total innings with 14 strikeouts and held opponents to a .180 batting average. The Mission Viejo, Calif., native started her week against Brown where the fifth-year senior earned a complete-game shutout that included seven strikeouts and just three hits allowed with one walk. Vargas came back the following day and faced No. 20 Auburn where she threw six innings with seven strikeouts and forced Auburn into four doubles plays.
PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Katie Goelz, St. Thomas
Fr. | Infield | Maple Lake, Minn.
- Went 8-for-18 (.44) with two home run, six RBI, five runs scored, four stolen bases and one double at the Evansville Invite
- Posted an .833 slugging percentage and a .444 on-base percentage
- Homered twice in each win against Purdue Fort Wayne and converted 40 putouts at first base
- This is the first career Summit League weekly accolade for Goelz
Also nominated: Bella Alvarez (Western Illinois), Rozelyn Carrillo (South Dakota State), Bela Goerke (South Dakota), Carley Goetschius (North Dakota State), Ally Vonfeldt (Kansas City).
PEAK PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Paige Vargas, North Dakota State
R-Sr. | Pitcher | Mission Viejo, Calif.
- Led NDSU to a shutout win over Brown and a seven strikeout performance against No. 20 Auburn
- Pitched a complete-game shutout with seven strikeouts against Brown allowing just one walk on three hits
- Threw six innings against Auburn and totaled 13 innings while holding oppositions to a .180 batting average
- This is the second career Summit League weekly award for Vargas
Also nominated: Alexa Williams (South Dakota State), Clara Edwards (South Dakota), Ella Cook (St. Thomas).
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
February 27
Peak Performer: Katie Goelz, St. Thomas
Peak Pitcher: Paige Vargas, North Dakota State
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