FRISCO, Texas – McNeese’s Kaylee Lopez and Central Arkansas’ Kayla Beaver are the Southland Conference Softball Hitter and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, the league announced Monday. Southland weekly honors are presented by
Hercules Tires.
Lopez hit safely in all four games for McNeese (28-23, 16-8 SLC) this week, finishing 10-for 12 (.833) at the plate. The sophomore was a perfect 4-for-4 with a run scored in Saturday’s eight-inning win over Northwestern State. Gomez and the Cowgirls wrap up their regular season this weekend with a three-game series at Nicholls.
Beaver was a perfect 3-0 on the week, getting credit for a pair of conference road wins at Southeastern Louisiana as well as a non-conference outing with Memphis on April 27. She struck out 10 batters and gave up no runs for an unblemished 0.00 ERA for the week to bring her season-average to 1.32. Central Arkansas (31-17, 18-6) closes its conference regular season at home as host to Lamar.
Softball Hitter of the Week – Kaylee Lopez, McNeese – DH/OF – So. – Indian Bayou, La.
Lopez had the week of her career last week in helping McNeese to a 3-1 record and a SLC Tournament clinching spot in the series opening win against NW State. Lopez hit safely in all four games and was perfect at the plate in two of the four games. She opened the week going 3-for-3 against UL-Monroe and ended the week 4-for-4 in the extra inning win against NW State. She ended her week 10-for-12 at the plate with an .833 average and a .917 slugging percentage.
Honorable Mention: Jenna Wildeman, Central Arkansas; Jasie Roberts, Houston Baptist; Abby Frank, UIW; Hannah Carpenter, Lamar; Bryana Novegil, Stephen F. Austin.
Softball Pitcher of the Week – Kayla Beaver, Central Arkansas – R-Fr. – Jackson, Tenn.
The redshirt freshman was poised as she produced a team-best 3-0 record in three appearances in the circle this week. The Bears earned a key non-conference win over Memphis before sweeping the weekend series from Southeastern Louisiana. Beaver posted a perfect 0.00 ERA, struck out 10 and surrendered just seven hits.
Honorable Mention: Samantha Bradley, Abilene Christian; Aaliyah Ruiz, Lamar; Whitney Tate, McNeese; Kassidy Wilbur, Stephen F. Austin.
Southland weekly award winners are nominated and voted upon by each school’s sports information director. Voting for one’s own athlete is not permitted. To earn honorable mention, a student-athlete must appear on at least 25 percent of ballots.
2021 Southland Softball Players of the Week
Feb. 16 – Hitter: Ashlyn Reavis, Nicholls; Pitcher: Heather Zumo, Southeastern Louisiana
Feb. 23 – Hitter: Tylar Vernon, Central Arkansas; Pitcher: Kayla Beaver, Central Arkansas
March 2 – Hitter: Lindsey Rizzo, Southeastern Louisiana; Pitcher: Heather Rizzo, Southeastern Louisiana
March 9 – Hitter: Mary Kate Brown, Central Arkansas; Pitcher: Jordan Johnson, Central Arkansas
March 16 – Hitter: Shaylon Govan, Stephen F. Austin; Pitcher: Kassidy Wilbur, Stephen F. Austin
March 22 – Hitter: Jaylee Engelkes, Central Arkansas; Pitcher: E.C. Delafield, Northwestern State
March 29 – Hitter: Hayley Barbazon, Northwestern State; Pitcher: Ashley Trapp, UIW
April 5 – Hitter: Gaby Garcia, Stephen F. Austin; Pitcher: Kayla Beaver, Central Arkansas
April 12 – Hitter: Autumn Sydlik, Houston Baptist; Pitcher: Kassidy Wilbur, Stephen F. Austin
April 19 – Hitter: Jil Poullard, McNeese; Pitcher: Kassidy Wilbur, Stephen F. Austin
April 26 – Hitter: Caitlin Brockway, Houston Baptist; Pitcher: Kassidy Wilbur, Stephen F. Austin
May 3 – Hitter: Kaylee Lopez, McNeese; Pitcher: Kayla Beaver, Central Arkansas
#SouthlandStrong