From Missouri Valley Conference Press Release
Southern Illinois University pitcher Brianna Jones, seen here during the Lions Classic in Hammond, Louisiana, fires a pitch in her firs collegiate game on February 12.(Photo courtesy of Saluki Media Services)
All but one of the MVC Softball teams were in action during the first weekend of play. As a whole, the league went 24-20 with each team that played earning at least one win. Danielle Freeman was named MVC Player of the Week, Brianna Jones of Southern Illinois took Pitcher of the Week with Drake’s Kennedy Frank taking MVC Newcomer of the Week.
MVC Pitcher of the Week
Brianna Jones, Freshman, Manchester, Tenn. – Southern Illinois
Southern Illinois pitcher Brianna Jones pitched two complete-game shutouts for the Salukis over the weekend. Jones still has not given up an earned run in 14.0 innings pitched. She has struck out 16 and walked just three while limited opponents to a .192 batting average. Jones leads the conference in ERA, and she is the only pitcher in the league that threw two complete-game shutouts on opening weekend
MVC Player of the Week
Danielle Freeman, Utility, Junior, Grand Rapids, Mich. – Evansville
In the first weekend of the season, Danielle Freeman showed just why she is one of the top offensive players in the MVC as she batted .571 leading Evansville to a 4-1 mark. Freeman opened the year going 1-2 while drawing two walks versus Eastern Michigan. She followed with her top game of the weekend, going 3-4 with 4 RBIs and three runs scored against Alabama State as she hit her first home run of the season. She recorded another 2-hit outing at Troy while posting one hit in the other two games. Freeman notched four doubles on the weekend while walking three times.
MVC Newcomer of the Week
Kennedy Frank, Outfielder, Freshman, Chesterfield, Mo. – Drake
Frank had an impressive debut weekend for Drake. She was 9-for-18 at the plate with one home run, three doubles, three runs scored and four RBI as the Bulldogs went 4-1 at the UNI-Dome Classic. Frank smacked her first career home run, a two-run shot, in a win over South Dakota State. In 18 at bats, she did not strike out once.
