SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – North Dakota’s Katie Joten and South Dakota State’s Tori Kniesche received the season’s final TicketSmarter Summit League Softball Peak Performer and Pitcher of the Week accolades, respectively, league officials announced on Monday.
Joten guided the Fighting Hawks to a home series sweep of Western Illinois as the junior shortstop went 8-for-12 with three doubles, seven RBI and scored six runs. The Little Chute, Wis., native went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, four RBI, one run scored and one walk in the series opener. In game two of a doubleheader, Joten collected three hits and drove in a run. The series finale saw her go 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI and in total, Joten posted a .917 slugging percentage and a .692 on-base percentage.
Kniesche ended her regular season by throwing South Dakota State’s first perfect game in program history as the junior hurler struck out 12 of the 15 batters she faced in a five-inning run rule victory against South Dakota. The Wayne, Neb., native now has a league-best eight shutouts and ended League play with an 11-0 mark.
PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Katie Joten, North Dakota
Jr. | Infield | Little Chute, Wis.
- Hit .667 in a series sweep of Western Illinois (8-for-12) seven RBI, six runs scored and one walk
- Posted three doubles, garnered a .917 slugging percentage and a .692 on-base percentage
- This is the first career Summit League weekly honor for Joten
Also nominated: Georgia Rea (Western Illinois), Avery Wukawitz (St. Thomas), Zoe King (North Dakota State), Jocelyn Carrillo (South Dakota State), Amelia Fitzgerald (Kansas City).
PEAK PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
Jr. | Pitcher | Wayne, Neb.
- Pitched SDSU’s first perfect game in program history against South Dakota
- Struck out 12 of the 15 batters she faced in a five-inning run rule victory
- This is the 13th career Summit League weekly award for Kniesche
Also nominated: Jackie Albrecht (North Dakota), Paige Vargas (North Dakota State), Camryn Stickel (Kansas City).
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
April 17
Peak Performer: Madison Pederson, North Dakota
Peak Pitcher: Clara Edwards, South Dakota
April 24
Peak Performer: Rozelyn Carrillo, South Dakota State
Peak Pitcher: Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
May 1
Peak Performer: Rachel Weber, Omaha
Peak Pitcher: Kamryn Meyer, Omaha
May 8
Peak Performer: Katie Joten, North Dakota
Peak Pitcher: Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
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