NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 27, 2023 –
Maryland Eastern Shore junior Ameenah Ballenger has been named Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Softball Player of the Week, presented by Coca-Cola, the league announced on Monday. Meanwhile,
Maryland Eastern Shore freshman Katelyn Smitchko is the Rookie of the Week and
Norfolk State senior Alexis Robinson is the Pitcher of the Week.
Ballenger (P/OF, Jr., Lansdowne, Pa.) batted .333 with two runs, six RBIs, a double and a homerun in the University of Virginia Cavalier Clash. At the plate against Howard, she went 2-for-4 with a homer, three RBIs and two scores. Additionally, she picked up her first win of the season in the pitching circle after tossing 5.0 innings and allowing three runs against the Bison. For the weekend, she pitched a team-high 14.0 innings.
Smitchko (P/OF, Fr., Clarence, Pa.) hit .333 with a double, triple, three runs scored and two RBIs in five games this past weekend. In the pitching circle, logged 12.2 innings, including two innings of work in the win over Howard.
Robinson (P, Sr., Virginia Beach, Va.) went 1-1 in two appearances for the week. She pitched a total of 9.1 innings, allowing seven hits and striking out seven batters. In the Spartans’ 11-3 win over stony Brook, she pitched 5 innings, allowing three hits, three earned runs and striking out three batters.
Other Top Performers
Destiny Beckham (Delaware State) batted .429 (6-for-14) with three stolen bases in four games, including going 4-for-4 at the plate and 2-for-2 on stolen base attempts against Hartford.
Imani Moore (Norfolk State) went 4-of-9 with an RBI against Colgate.
Makaela Digaudio (Howard) went 3-for-4 over the weekend, including 2-for-2 against St. John’s.
Sidney Fletcher (Howard) hit .428 with a walk, RBI, and five putouts over the weekend.
About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) is in its 52nd year of intercollegiate competition with the 2022-23 academic school year. Located in Norfolk, Va., the MEAC is made up of eight outstanding historically Black institutions across the Atlantic coastline: Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University and South Carolina State University.