Softball America Stars of the Week: Ellis, McDowell, Tinsley, Gress, Kavan
The Softball America staff will pick four student-athletes as our college softball players of the week following the latest slate of games. Our award system isn’t necessarily stat-based but rather players who left a lasting impact as we watched games from the previous week. Who changed the tune of their teams? Who made the headlines? Who might be the breakout star during the season?
Bri Ellis & Ella McDowell, INF, Arkansas
We cheated this week, but the Arkansas corner infielders were too good to pick only one. Ellis hit her 19th and 20th home runs of the season against the Gators in the first two games of the series against Florida. The Gators intentionally walked her three times on Sunday. Ella McDowell made them pay for that. McDowell collected 10 hits and six RBIs, including a big day at the plate in the series finale.
Taylor Tinsley, RHP, UCLA
The UCLA righty earns her second College Softball Star of the Week honors for her outing against Ohio State’s powerful offense. The Buckeyes, who lead the nation in home runs by a drastic margin, had no answers for the Georgia native. Tinsley became the first pitcher to shut out Ohio State this season, holding the Buckeyes to a lone single and striking out 10 batters.
Sam Gress, RHP, South Carolina
Gress has become South Carolina’s ace. Despite the Gamecocks’ offense struggling to produce runs against Ole Miss, Gress held it down in the circle. She appeared in all three games for South Carolina, throwing 7.2 scoreless in the series opener. Gress earned a win and a save, allowing one earned run over 12.1 innings.
Teagan Kavan, RHP, Texas
Teagan Kavan did Teagan Kavan things against Missouri. She tossed a five-inning no-hitter in the series opener. She saved the second game of the series. Kavan threw all eight innings, allowing one run to clinch the sweep. In total, she threw 13.2 innings, struck out 26 batters without allowing a walk.
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