ST. LOUIS, Mo. – A pair of seniors from the Southern Illinois University softball team received weekly honors from the Missouri Valley Conference on Tuesday, as outfielder Emma Austin was named the Player of the Week while pitcher McKenzie Newcomb was awarded Newcomer of the Week.
Austin and Newcomb received the honors after the Salukis went 3-1 at this past weekend’s Saluki Invitational against Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.
In four games against the Huskies and Badgers, Austin hit for a batting average of .667, going 10-for-15 with three runs scored, one double, and one RBI. The senior outfielder’s week was highlighted by a 7-for-7 day on Saturday vs. NIU and Wisconsin.
After the strong weekend, Austin has now climbed up to sixth in the Valley in batting average with a season average of .382.
Newcomb was yet again lights out for the Salukis in the circle. In two appearances against Wisconsin, the senior went 1-0 with a 0.70 ERA, allowing two runs (one earned) and seven hits with no walks and five strikeouts across 10.0 innings pitched.
On the year, Newcomb is now 5-5 with a 2.20 ERA, which ranks fourth in the league.
This is the second time this season the Salukis have received weekly awards from the conference. Jackie Lis (Player of the Week) and Emily Williams (Newcomer of the Week) also earned weekly honors after the second week of the year on Feb. 18.
Southern Illinois (8-14, 0-0) has won three straight games and seven of its last nine heading into its first conference weekend of the season, which begins on Friday at 5 p.m. against Illinois State at Charlotte West Stadium.
Missouri Valley Conference Weekly Award Winners
Player of the Week – Emma Austin, Southern Illinois
Pitcher of the Week – Maya Johnson, Belmont
Freshman of the Week – Kenley Minor, Murray State
Newcomer of the Week – McKenzie Newcomb, Southern Illinois
