Softball Weekly Honors Claimed By CCSJ's Staden, USF's Manning
CHICAGO --- A healthy .692 batting average by Calumet College of St. Joseph's Adelina Staden (Romeoville, Ill.) and a pair of wins in the circle from University of St. Francis' Kiersten Manning (Bloomington, Ill.) during the seven-day period ending March 30 have resulted in the pair claiming Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference softball weekly honors, the league office announced on Tuesday.
Staden did nothing but hit en route to CCAC Player of the Week recognition. She produced multi-hit games in all four of her contests to finish at 9-for-13 for the week. Two of her hits went for home runs with another one being a double. She also drove in eight runs and scored five times.
In a doubleheader sweep of Judson University on Wednesday, Staden went 5-for-6 with seven runs batted in. Four came in the first game with the other three being in the nightcap, where she authored her two home runs. The senior catcher/first baseman also went 4-for-7 with three runs scored in a pair of setbacks to Taylor University (Ind.) on Friday.
Calumet St. Joseph is off to a 2-0 start in conference play, while being 7-15 overall following its 2-2 week.
Manning garnered her second CCAC Pitcher of the Week honor of the season after helping St. Francis to a 4-0 start to the conference season with her two wins. She appeared in three of USF's four games during the week, working 14 2/3 innings and allowing just three earned runs (1.43 ERA). She also struck out 19 batters against 12 hits and five walks.
The senior right-hander went the distance in an 8-1 first-game victory over Olivet Nazarene University on Wednesday. In that game, she struck out 12 batters opposite only three hits and two walks. She also came on for two innings of relief in the 8-7 nightcap victory to gain the win after the Saints rallied in their last at-bat.
Manning started the 6-5 victory over Judson University on Friday, as well. She went the first 5 2/3 innings and did not allow an earned run, while striking out six batters.
St. Francis' 4-0 start to the conference season puts it atop the league standings. Overall, the Saints are 9-12, but riding a four-game winning streak.
Other Player Nominees: Alina Garstka (Viterbo), Kahiwa Ili (Olivet Nazarene), Kamryn Koontz (Trinity Christian), Parker Leonard (St. Ambrose), Rose Mwaro (St. Francis), Grace Pekoc (Judson), Aubrey Wroble (Saint Xavier).
Other Pitcher Nominees: Leah Maro (St. Ambrose), Myleigh Halmon (Trinity Christian), Katherine Hrinda (Judson), Ayla Matheny (Calumet St. Joseph), Madyson Schultz (Viterbo), Lily Strand (Saint Xavier), Allie Timm (Olivet Nazarene).