SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – St. Thomas designated player Ella Cook and Omaha pitcher Maddia Groff were picked as this week’s Kwik Star Summit League Softball Peak Performer and Pitcher of the Week, League officials announced Tuesday.
Cook led the team at the plate with a scorching .545/.583/1.364 slash line, totaling 15 bases across the weekend. The standout performance included six hits, four of which went for extra bases, highlighted by a dominant showing on Sunday with a double, triple and two home runs in the win at Kansas City.
The Iowa City, Iowa, native also scored four runs and drove in five RBIs during the sweep of the Roos, consistently providing a spark for the offense.
Groff was dominant in the circle during Omaha’s sweep of NDSU, posting a 0.00 ERA across two appearances while earning a win and a save. The junior logged 6.2 innings over the two outings, striking out 10 batters.
The Omaha, Neb., native allowed just two hits and one walk in her time, holding Bison hitters to a .087 batting average.
PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK
Ella Cook, St. Thomas
Sr. | Designated Player | Iowa City, Iowa
- Recorded six hits across four games, driving in nine RBIs while helping Omaha to a 3-1 weekend
- Posted a pair of four-RBI performances in wins at BYU (9-0) and Utah Tech (12-2), adding two multi-hit games during the stretch
- Collected the second weekly accolade of her career
Also nominated: Jessica Delatorre (North Dakota State), Katherine Johnson (Omaha), Ella McGee (South Dakota), Emma Vike (South Dakota State)
PEAK PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Maddia Groff, Omaha
Jr. | Pitcher | Omaha, Neb.
- Posted a 0.00 ERA across two appearances, going 1-0 with one save as Omaha swept NDSU
- Struck out 10 over 6.2 innings, allowing just two hits and one walk while holding Bison hitters to a .087 average
- Collected the eighth weekly accolade of her career and second of the season
Also nominated: Unity Nelson (North Dakota), Ava Kleinfeldt (St. Thomas), Akayla Barnard (South Dakota State)
2026 Softball Peak Performers of the Week
February 10
Peak Performer: Bella Dean, North Dakota State
Peak Pitcher: Jocelyn McClary, North Dakota State
February 17
Peak Performer: Bailey Sample, Omaha
Peak Pitcher: Maddia Groff, Omaha
February 24
Peak Performer: Amanda Vacanti, South Dakota State
Peak Pitcher: Ella Cook, St. Thomas
March 3
Peak Performer: Marra Cramer, Omaha
Peak Pitcher: Madison Wihlm, North Dakota State
March 10
Peak Performer: Abi Brown, South Dakota
Peak Pitcher: Unity Nelson, North Dakota
March 17
Peak Performer: Sammy Schmidt, Omaha
Peak Pitcher: Jocelyn McClary, North Dakota State
March 24
Peak Performer: Ella Cook, St. Thomas
Peak Pitcher: Maddia Groff, Omaha
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