SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – North Dakota State second basemen Bella Dean and pitcher Madison Wihlm swept the latest TicketSmarter Summit League Peak Performer of the Pitcher of the Week nods, respectively, League officials announced Monday.
 
Dean went 8-for-20 (.400) with a double, four home runs and 11 RBI at the Purple/Gold Challenge. The Sherrard, Ill., native hit the game-tying home run in the sixth inning and game-tying sacrifice fly in the eighth inning against Georgetown.
 
She also belted two homers against Georgetown in a 9-2 win and put NDSU ahead with a solo shot in the fourth to spark a 5-1 win over Lipscomb.
 
Wihlm went 2-0 with a 0.58 ERA in two appearances as NDSU won the Lipscomb Purple/Gold Challenge with a 4-1 record. The freshman pitcher tossed her first career complete game going all seven innings in an 8-1 win over Lipscomb. Furthermore, she notched a season-high four strikeouts against Lipscomb, then fanned five against Georgetown.
 
The Maple Grove, Minn., native tossed the final five innings of the 4-3 extra-inning win over Georgetown, limiting the Hoyas to one hit.
  
PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Bella Dean, North Dakota State
So. | Second Base | Sherrard, Ill.

• Went 8-for-20 (.400) with a double, four home runs and 11 RBI at the Purple/Gold Challenge
• Hit the game-tying home run in the sixth inning and game-tying sacrifice fly in the eighth inning against Georgetown
• Belted two homers against Georgetown in a 9-2 win
• Put NDSU ahead with a solo shot in the fourth to spark a 5-1 win over Lipscomb
• This is the second career Summit League weekly honor for Dean

Also nominated: Lindsey Culver (South Dakota State), Lexy Smith (Kansas City), Katelyn Neum (North Dakota), Gabby Moser (South Dakota), Lynsey Tucker (Omaha).
 
PEAK PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Madison Wihlm, North Dakota State
Fr. | Pitcher | Maple Grove, Minn.

• Went 2-0 with a 0.58 ERA in two appearances as NDSU won the Lipscomb Purple/Gold Challenge with a 4-1 record
• Tossed her first career complete game going all seven innings in an 8-1 win over Lipscomb
• Notched a season-high four strikeouts against Lipscomb, then fanned five against Georgetown
• Tossed the final five innings of the 4-3 extra-inning win over Georgetown, limiting the Hoyas to one hit
• This is the first career Summit League weekly award for Wilhm

Also nominated: Tori Kniesche (South Dakota State), Camryn Stickel (Kansas City), Clara Edwards (South Dakota), Kamryn Meyer (Omaha).
 
2024 Softball Weekly Award Winners
February 12
Peak Performer: Emma Osmundson, South Dakota State
Peak Pitcher: Kamryn Meyer, Omaha
 
February 19
Peak Performer: Bella Dean, North Dakota State
Peak Pitcher: Clara Edwards, South Dakota
 
February 26
Peak Performer: Sydney Ross, Omaha
Peak Pitcher: Tori Kniesche, South Dakota State
 
March 4
Peak Performer: Bella Dean, North Dakota State
Peak Pitcher: Madison Wihlm, North Dakota State

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