FRISCO, Texas – Nicholls designated player Molly VandenBout and Lamar right-handed pitcher Karyana Mitchell are this week's winners of the Jersey Mike's Southland Conference Softball Player of the Week awards, as announced by the conference office on Monday.
Hitter of the Week: Molly VandenBout, Nicholls - Jr. - DP - Temple, Texas (Temple College)
Molly VandenBout batted .455 with 10 RBIs, had two two-homer games including one against No. 11 Florida State, and a late game-winning hit that closed out an impressive week for the Colonels' designated player. Against Florida State, VandenBout hit a solo homer for a 1-0 lead and then a 2-run shot for a 3-1 advantage before the Seminoles rallied in the seventh for a 5-4 victory. In the finale versus Charleston Southern, VandenBout broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth with a 2-run single to lead Nicholls to the win. Earlier in the week, she hit a 2-run homer to start the scoring against Alcorn before ending the game in the sixth with a 3-run shot. She also picked up the win in the circle after throwing three shutout innings.
Pitcher of the Week: Karyana Mitchell, Lamar - Sr. - RHP - Palm Bay, Florida (Viera HS)
Karyana Mitchell picked up three wins and a save for the Cardinals this week. She pitched 5.1 innings in her start against Texas Southern on Tuesday allowing just one run on five hits. She then pitched five scoreless innings of relief against Niagara on Friday before throwing four more scoreless frames in her start in Game 2 of a Sunday doubleheader against Niagara. Game 1 that day saw her record a three-out save for her first of the year.
2024 Southland Softball Players of the Week
| Date |
Hitter of the Week |
Pitcher of the Week |
| Feb. 12 |
Bailey Krolczyk, Southeastern |
Audrey McNeill, Nicholls |
| Feb. 19 |
Jasie Roberts, HCU |
Ellie DuBois, Southeastern |
| Feb. 26 |
Molly VandenBout, Nicholls |
Karyana Mitchell, Lamar |
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 25 percent of ballots.