National News

 February 27, 2013

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Stephanie Mark (Seward County CC, Kan.), Haley Grantham (Baton Rouge CC, La.) and Erin Dixson (Northeast Mississippi CC) have been named OC Sports NJCAA softball players of the week for games Feb. 18-24.

DIVISION I PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Stephanie Mark – Seward County Community College, Kan.
First Base – Ogden, Utah – Bonneville High School

Going 2-2 in four games last week, the Saints benefitted from Mark’s offensive output. The sophomore compiled a .462 batting average (6-for-13) with 10 RBIs and six runs scored. Showcasing her power at the plate, Mark hit two doubles and three home runs for a 1.308 slugging percentage. Seward County has seen Mark dominate opposing pitchers so far in 2013, batting for a .533 average with a team-high 17 RBIs.


DIVISION I PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Haley Grantham – Baton Rouge Community College, La.
Right-Handed Pitcher – Holden, La. – Holden High School

It was a busy week for Grantham as she earned four wins in four games for the Bears. Grantham allowed only seven earned runs in 26 innings of work, compiling a .188 ERA. The sophomore recorded 50 strikeouts, including a school-record 22 in a 1-0 shutout victory over Lincoln Land CC (Ill.). On the season, Grantham has a 6-3 record with a 2.53 ERA.

DIVISION II PLAYER OF THE WEEK/PITCHER OF THE WEEK  
Erin Dixson – Northeast Mississippi Community College
Right-Handed Pitcher – Amherst, N.Y. – Amherst High School

Dixson’s effort at the plate last week led the Tigers to a 3-1 record in their four games. The sophomore was 5-for-9 at the plate for a .556 batting average. Dixson hit one double and two home runs for a 1.333 slugging percentage and drove in four runs. So far in 2013, Dixson is batting for a .462 average which ranks second on the Tiger roster. While Dixson’s offense put her team in position to win last week, the sophomore was also busy on the mound. Making three appearances in the Tigers’ four games, Dixson went 2-0 with a 1.02 ERA. Dixson gave up two earned runs while striking out 13 batters in 13.2 innings. This season, Dixson has a 3-1 record with a 2.28 ERA.

DIVISION III PLAYER OF THE WEEK
There were no players nominated in Division III.

DIVISION III PITCHER OF THE WEEK
There were no pitchers nominated in Division III.

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Softball Players of the Week (Feb. 18-24)
DI Player: Stephanie Mark (1B) – Seward County CC, Kan.
DI Pitcher: Haley Grantham (RHP) – Baton Rouge CC, La.
DII Player: Erin Dixson (P) – Northeast Mississippi CC
DII Pitcher: Erin Dixson (RHP) – Northeast Mississippi CC
DIII Player: None
DIII Pitcher: None