SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota State's Jocelyn Carrillo and Tori Kniesche swept the latest TicketSmarter Summit League Softball Peak Performer and Pitcher of the Week awards, respectively, league officials announced on Monday.
Carrillo had a solid week for the Jackrabbits where she went 7-for-14, including 5-for-10 in the series sweep of Omaha at Augustana's Bowden Field in Sioux Falls. Furthermore, Carrillo hit at least one double in all four games she competed. The Palmdale, Calif., native began her week by belting two doubles with two RBI and scored a run along with a stolen base in the series finale win against St. Thomas.
In the series opener against the Mavericks, Carrillo collected two hits, including a walk-off single in the eighth inning for a 1-0 victory. Carrillo recorded a double and scored a run in game two of the series and posted two hits, including another double along with a key outfield assist in centerfield in the series finale. In total, Carrillo registered a .857 slugging percentage and a .563 on-base percentage.
Kniesche was the key to SDSU's series sweep of Omaha where she pitched all three games against the Mavericks and started two of them, eventually finishing with all three victories. The Wayne, Neb., native, who was also named the D1Softball's Pitcher of the Week, began her week in St. Paul against St. Thomas with five no-hit innings where she allowed one baserunner via a walk while striking out nine batters.
In her first appearance against Omaha, Kniesche held the Mavericks at bay throwing eight innings of two-hit softball while walking two and striking out a season and League-high 18 batters. The second game saw Kniesche come in relief in a 5-4 win where she threw the final 1.2 innings and didn't give up a hit or free base while striking out a batter.
The series finale was one for the record books and the junior hurler would fire a school-record 14 innings in the circle where she struck out 15 hitters on six hits and five walks as the Jackrabbits would close out a 1-0 win. Kniesche ended her week by throwing 28.2 innings and striking out 43 batters while not giving up a single run.
PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Jocelyn Carrillo, South Dakota State
Jr. | Outfield | Palmdale, Calif.
- Hit .500 in four games last week with seven hits, five doubles, three RBI, two runs, two walks and one stolen base
- Went 5-for-10 in the series sweep of Omaha, hitting three doubles and walked twice while driving in the game-winning run in an eight-inning contest in the series opener
- Garnered an .857 slugging percentage and a .564 on-base percentage
- This is the second career Summit League weekly honor for Carrillo
Also nominated: Skylar Padgett (North Dakota State), Avery Wukawitz (St. Thomas), Aleesia Sainz (South Dakota), Amelia Fitzgerald (Kansas City), Lauren Brown (North Dakota).
PEAK PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
Jr. | Pitcher | Wayne, Neb.
- Recorded three wins in two starts in a series sweep of Omaha
- Threw two extra inning affairs, totaling eight innings with a season and League-high 18 strikeouts in game one and 14 innings with 15 strikeouts in the series finale
- Also recorded a win in the series finale against St. Thomas throwing five innings with nine strikeouts
- Compiled a 0.00 ERA with no runs allowed in 28.2 innings pitched totaling 43 strikeouts
- This is the 11th career Summit League weekly accolade for Kniesche
Also nominated: Lainey Lyle (North Dakota State), Isabelle True (St. Thomas), Clara Edwards (South Dakota), Bailey Brumley (Kansas City), Makaela Carr (North Dakota).
2023 Softball Weekly Award Winners
February 13
Peak Performer: Gabby Moser, 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
March 6
Peak Performer: Anjolee Aguilar-Beaucage, North Dakota State
Peak Pitcher: Kamryn Meyer, Omaha
March 13
Peak Performer: Bella Dean, North Dakota State
Peak Pitcher: Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
March 20
Peak Performer: Carley Goetschius, North Dakota State
Peak Pitcher: Paige Vargas, North Dakota State
March 27
Peak Performer: Carley Goetschius, North Dakota State
Peak Pitcher: Kamryn Meyer, Omaha
April 3
Peak Performer: Aleesia Sainz, South Dakota
Peak Pitcher: Kori Wedeking, South Dakota
April 10
Peak Performer: Jocelyn Carrillo, South Dakota State
Peak Pitcher: Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
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