TSWA names baseball, softball Players of the Week

April 17, 2018 Forrest Freeman

BASEBALL: Austin Peay’s Phillips, Carson-Newman’s Bradley garner TSWA accolades
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay’s Parker Phillips and Carson-Newman’s Matt Bradley were named the Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association on Tuesday for their performances for games April 9-15.

Phillips batted .556 (10-for-18) with seven extra-base hits, including five home runs, along with 15 RBIs in five games for the Govs. The Collierville, Tenn., native doubled, scored a run and posted three sacrifice flies to start the week at Lipscomb.

The sophomore singled and was hit twice at Murray State before going 8-for-13 with five home runs and 12 RBIs and reaching base in 10-of-15 plate appearances against Eastern Kentucky. He homered in his first three at-bats versus the Colonels, posting a grand slam, a solo homer and a two-run shot, finishing the first game of Friday’s doubleheader 4-for-5 with seven RBIs.

Phillips added another solo home run and a two-run shot in the second contest of the twinbill and was 2-for-5 with two RBIs in the series finale. He is batting .301 with eight doubles, nine home runs, 40 RBIs and 23 runs scored in 33 games this season.

Bradley tossed six shutout innings in a victory over Lenoir-Rhyne, helping the Eagles take 2-of-3 in the weekend series. The Talbott, Tenn., native walked five, hit a batter and struck out five, allowing just three hits in his six innings.

The freshman righthander worked around nine baserunners, retiring the side in order just once, in a scoreless game until the Eagles plated five runs in the bottom of the sixth. Bradley stranded seven Lenoir-Rhyne runners in the contest and improved to 1-1 with a 1.37 ERA in seven appearances this season covering 19.2 innings, striking out 19 and giving up just 12 hits. Opponents are batting .182 against him.

2018 TSWA BASEBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
February 20 – Kyle Blackwell, Cumberland University (Player); Dillon Cate, Carson-Newman (Pitcher)
February 27 – Fernando Garcia, Bryan College (Player); Grant Boyd, King University (Pitcher)
March 6 – Sam Mang, Trevecca University (Player); Stephen Chamblee, Bryan College (Pitcher)
March 13 – Sam Mang, Trevecca University (Player); Will Neely, Tennessee (Pitcher)
March 20 – David Scoggins, Bryan College (Player); Sean Hunley, Tennessee (Pitcher)
March 27 – Hayden Lewis, Union University (Player); Mason Hickman, Vanderbilt (Pitcher)
April 3 – Drew Huff, Middle Tennessee (Player); Grant Boyd, King University (Pitcher)
April 10 – Ethan Harrison, Trevecca University (Player); Daniel Tolano, Tennessee Wesleyan (Pitcher)

SOFTBALL: Union’s Gabby Morris, Tennessee’s Arnold named TSWA award winners
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Union’s Gabby Morris and Tennessee’s Caylan Arnold were named the Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association on Tuesday for their performances for games April 9-15.

Morris batted .632 (12-for-19) with two doubles, three triples, one home run, four RBIs and seven runs scored in six games for the Bulldogs. The Adamsville, Tenn., native collected three hits with a double and two RBIs to open the week at Delta State.

The sophomore recorded five hits in a doubleheader at LeMoyne-Owen with three triples, one RBI and four runs scored. She was 2-for-5 with two walks and two runs scored in two games versus Rhodes College and finished the week with a double, a solo homer and a walk in a single game at West Alabama.

Morris is batting .416 with five doubles, six triples, seven home runs, 28 RBIs and 28 runs scored in 42 games this season while also posting an 11-9 record in the circle in 116.1 innings pitched.

Arnold posted a pair of victories in two starts, helping the Lady Vols sweep LSU and win their first SEC series in over a month. The Maryville, Tenn., native allowed two runs on eight hits in 6.1 innings in the series opener, both of those runs in the seventh innings. She walked three and struck out six.

The sophomore righthander worked 5.0 innings in the series finale, giving up two runs on five hits with two strikeouts, upping her record to 17-4 with a 2.28 ERA in 39 appearances this season covering 147.1 innings. She has 174 strikeouts and opponents are batting just .208 against her.

2018 TSWA WOMEN’S SOFTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
February 20 – Bailey Alexander, Trevecca University (Player); Lacie Rinus, Carson-Newman (Pitcher)
February 27 – Jocelyn De La Cruz, Middle Tennessee (Player); Caylan Arnold, Tennessee (Pitcher)
March 6 – Kyler Trosclair-Klatt, Memphis (Player); Caylan Arnold, Tennessee (Pitcher)
March 13 – Lexi Rouse, Belmont (Player); Molly Smith, Memphis (Pitcher)
March 20 – Essence Strambler, Maryville College (Player); Kayley Caplinger, Cumberland University (Pitcher)
March 27 – Brigid Antonelli, Cumberland University (Player); Savannah Carr, Trevecca University (Pitcher)
April 3 – Morgan Brewer, Maryville College (Player); Savannah Carr, Trevecca University (Pitcher)
April 10 – Megan Groves, Trevecca University (Player); Taylor Waldrop, Tennessee Tech (Pitcher)

Baseball, softball Players of the Week honored by TSWA

April 10, 2018 Forrest Freeman

BASEBALL: Trevecca’s Harrison, Wesleyan’s Tolano garner TSWA accolades
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Trevecca University’s Ethan Harrison and Tennessee Wesleyan’s Daniel Tolano were named the Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association on Tuesday for their performances for games April 2-8.

Harrison batted .652 (11-for-18) with two doubles, three home runs, seven RBIs and seven runs scored in four games for the Trojans. The Erlanger, Ky., native doubled and homered, scored twice and drove in three runs in a mid-week contest at Lincoln Memorial.

The junior infielder homered twice among his three hits and drove in three runs in the series opener at Alderson Broaddus. Harrison collected two singles with two walks and scored a run in the second game versus the Battlers and finished the series with a 4-for-5 effort that included a double, one RBIs and two runs scored.

Harrison is batting .331 with six doubles, eight home runs, 25 RBIs and 29 runs scored in 33 games this season.

Tolano allowed one unearned run on just two hits in six innings against Bluefield College, striking out nine. The Tucson, Ariz., native did not walk a batter and retired the first 15 hitters in the contest before an error opened the door for the Rams’ only run of the contest in the sixth.

The senior righthander improved to 6-0 with a 1.76 ERA in 14 appearances this season. Tolano has allowed 32 hits in 46.0 innings with 51 strikeouts and a .190 opponent batting average.

SOFTBALL: Trevecca’s Groves, Tennessee Tech’s Waldrop named TSWA award winners
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Trevecca University’s Megan Groves and Tennessee Tech’s Taylor Waldrop were named the Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association on Tuesday for their performances for games April 2-8.

Groves batted .467 (7-for-15) with two doubles, two home runs, eight RBIs and four runs scored in four games for the Trojans. The White House, Tenn., native posted two doubles and three total hits in the first game of a doubleheader at Ohio Valley University, scoring once and driving in three runs. She hit a two-run homer in the second contest against the Fighting Scots.

The freshman posted another two-run homer and scored twice in the first of two games at Findlay University and was 2-for-3 with one RBI in the second contest versus the Oilers. Groves is batting .380 with eight doubles, two triples, three home runs, 19 RBIs and 22 runs scored in 31 games this season.

Waldrop tossed a pair of shutouts for the Golden Eagles, allowing just nine hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. The Canon, Ga., native worked five scoreless frames in an 8-0 victory against Tennessee State, giving up four hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

The righthander tossed a seven-inning shutout versus Belmont, allowing five hits with two walks and five strikeouts. She retired 13 straight at one point against the Bruins and only three baserunners reached scoring position. Waldrop improved to 7-7 in 18 appearances this season, striking out 65 in 97.2 innings.

TSWA announces baseball, softball players of the week

April 3, 2018 Forrest Freeman

BASEBALL: Middle Tennessee’s Huff, King’s Boyd garner TSWA accolades
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee’s Drew Huff and King University’s Grant Boyd were named the Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association on Tuesday for their performances for games March 26-April 1.

Huff batted .500 (10-for-20) with two doubles, one home run, 11 RBIs and four runs scored in four games for the Blue Raiders.

The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native posted a career day at Belmont, going 4-for-7 with a triple, one home run, three runs scored and a school single-game record nine RBIs. He hit a grand slam and drove in two runs with a triple and added an RBI groundout and a two-run single in the contest.

The junior infielder singled, drove in a run and scored once in the first contest of a three-game series at Old Dominion. Huff collected two hits with a double in the second outing and was 3-for-5 with a double in the final game against the Monarchs. He is batting .272 with two doubles, one home run, 20 RBIs and 13 runs scored in 26 games this season.

Boyd allowed one earned run with 14 strikeouts in 10.2 innings over two outings for the Tornado. The senior righthander worked 1.2 scoreless innings of relief, striking out four against Mars Hill University.

The Chesterfield, Va., native tossed a complete game in the series finale versus Limestone University, scattering 10 hits while giving up one earned run in a 4-2 victory. He walked four and struck out 10, upping his mark to 5-2 with a 2.87 ERA in 11 appearances over 53.1 innings, allowing 42 hits with 56 strikeouts. Opponents are batting .215 against him this season.

SOFTBALL: Maryville’s Brewer, Trevecca’s Carr named TSWA award winners
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maryville College’s Morgan Brewer and Trevecca University’s Savannah Carr were named the Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association on Tuesday for their performances for games March 26-April 1.

Brewer batted .583 (14-for-24) in six games for the Scots with five doubles, one home run, nine RBIs and nine runs scored, helping Maryville win 4-of-6 contests in conference play.

The Maryville, Tenn., native posted three hits with a two-run homer and two runs scored in the first of two games at Piedmont College. She posted a single one RBI and a run scored in the second contest against the Lions.

The sophomore infielder collected three hits with a double and two runs scored in the first game of a doubleheader versus Huntingdon College and added a double and a run scored in the second contest against the Hawks.

Brewer finished the week with a pair of three-hit outings versus Agnes Scott, going 3-for-5 with a double, a triple, two RBIs and two runs scored in the first contest. She was 3-for-4 with two doubles, four RBIs and a run scored in the second game against the Scotties. She is batting .393 with 11 doubles, 30 RBIs and 42 runs scored in 35 contests this season.

Carr collected four victories in the circle for the Trojans, allowing one run on 11 hits over 17.0 innings of work. The Springfield, Tenn., native worked two shutout frames in relief versus Kentucky Wesleyan to post her first win of the week.

The junior righthander gave up one run on five hits in five innings in a 4-1 victory over Lake Erie College and got the win in the second game as well with three shutout innings of relief. She finished the week with a three-hit, complete-game shutout against Ursuline College. She got 34 ground ball outs in her 17.0 innings of work for the week.

Carr improved to 9-1 on the season with a 1.39 ERA in 14 contests covering 50.1 innings, allowing 39 hits with 28 strikeouts.

Cumberland’s Antonelli, Trevecca’s Carr named TSWA softball award winners

March 28, 2018 Forrest Freeman

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –Cumberland University’s Brigid Antonelli and Trevecca University’s Savannah Carr were named the Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association on Tuesday for their performances for games March 19-25.

Antonelli batted .364 (8-for-22) with six RBIs and seven runs scored in six games for the Phoenix. The Redondo Beach, Calif., native posted two hits in both ends of a doubleheader versus Bryan College, scoring three runs and driving in another in the sweep for CU.

The junior singled, walked twice, scored three times and drove in a run in the first of two doubleheaders at Shawnee State. She singled twice, drove in four runs and scored once in the third contest against the Bears and singled in the finale versus SSU.

Antonelli is batting .354 with four doubles, one home run, 19 RBIs and 21 runs scored in 29 contests this season for Cumberland.

Carr tossed 10.0 innings over two appearances for the Trojans, allowing one run on six hits with nine strikeouts. The Springfield, Tenn., native worked three innings of relief against Hillsdale College, giving up one run on two hits with three strikeouts.

The junior righthander tossed a complete-game shutout versus the Chargers, allowing four hits with six strikeouts in a 5-0 victory. Carr is 6-1 with a 1.78 ERA in 11 appearances this season covering 35.1 innings, striking out 23. Opponents are batting .220 against her.

Union's Lewis, Vanderbilt's Hickman garner TSWA baseball accolades

March 27, 2018 Forrest Freeman

BASEBALL: Union’s Lewis, Vanderbilt’s Hickman garner TSWA accolades
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Union University’s Hayden Lewis and Vanderbilt’s Mason Hickman were named the Baseball Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association on Tuesday for their performances for games March 19-25.

Lewis batted .500 (7-for-14) with one double, two triples, one home run, five RBIs and four runs scored in four games for the Bulldogs. The Jackson, Tenn., native doubled, drove in three runs and scored once in a mid-week contest at Trevecca University.

The senior outfielder doubled in the first of a doubleheader at Valdosta State and added a single in the second contest versus the Blazers. In the series finale Lewis was 4-for-4 with two triples, a solo homer and three RBIs. He is batting .281 with five doubles, five triples, two home runs, 15 RBIs and 16 runs scored in 27 games this season.

Hickman tossed a two-hit shutout in the series finale against LSU, walking two and striking out nine in seven innings in a 1-0 victory for the Commodores. The Hendersonville, Tenn., native did not allow a hit after the second inning, retiring 16 of the final 18 batters he faced, including 12 straight at one point.

The freshman righthander improved to 5-0 with a 2.08 ERA in six appearances this season, striking out 28 in 26.0 innings of work. He has issued just nine walks and opponents have a .180 batting average against him.