Monday, April 18, 2011

MACON, Ga. – Kennesaw State starting pitcher Jessica Cross notched the Owls’ first no-hitter since 2008, surrendering just one walk against ETSU to win her second Atlantic Sun Pitcher of the Week honor. Belmont junior Ashley Byers led the Bruins to two wins with a strong week, driving in seven runs, and hitting .500 with two home runs to win her first career Player of the Week honor.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK:

Jessica Cross, Kennesaw State (SP – Jr. – Tunnel Hill, Ga. – English Education)

• Second A-Sun Pitcher of the Week award

• Tossed first Kennesaw State no-hitter since 2008 against ETSU

• Recorded 15 strikeouts for the week, three in the no-hitter against ETSU

• Notched a 3-1 record for the week, including both wins versus the Bucs

• Recorded a 1.12 ERA on the week in 18.2 innings

OTHER NOMINEES:

• Morgan Childers (SP, USC Upstate) – Set A-Sun career wins record throwing a two-hitter against Mercer

• Catherine McDaniel (SP, FGCU) – Recorded two wins and 13 strikeouts for the week

• Katie Woodcock (SP, Campbell) – Struck out 14 in 24 innings of work

• Sarah Sigrest (SP, Jacksonville) – Notched a 1.00 ERA with 17 strikeouts in two complete game victories

PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Ashley Byers, Belmont (1B – Jr. – Westerville, Ohio – Exercise Science)

• First career A-Sun Player of the Week award, and first for Belmont since 2008

• Led Bruins to first 2-2 conference weekend since 2007

• Hit .500 with two home runs and seven RBI

• Bruins defeated FGCU for first time ever, and picked up just the second win ever against Stetson

• One home run shy of tying school single-season record of 10

OTHER NOMINEES:

• Mariah Fernandez (OF, FGCU) – Hit .462 with 8 RBI, including a grand slam against Lipscomb

• Lauren Quevedo (1B, USC Upstate) – Drove in five runs while hitting .412 to help Spartans to three A-Sun wins

• Amanda Miller (SS, Campbell) – Team-high .389 batting average with three runs scored and four RBI

• Jill Semento (3B, Stetson) – Tallied seventh home run of the season and drove in three runs

• Sharon Swanson (OF, Kennesaw State) – Collected four multi-hit games and two home runs

• Kassie Bailey – (1B, Mercer) – Bagged 11 total bases and drove in four runs with one home run

Follow the Atlantic Sun on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook

The Atlantic Sun Conference is an 11-member league committed to Building Winners for Life. The A-Sun stands for achievement with integrity in both the academic and athletic arenas, with a focus on the balance between the two for our student-athletes. Headquartered in Macon, Ga., the A-Sun boasts five of the top eight media markets in the Southeast. The A-Sun includes a blend of the most prestigious and dynamic private and public institutions in the region: Belmont University, Campbell University, East Tennessee State University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Jacksonville University, Kennesaw State University, Lipscomb University, Mercer University, University of North Florida, University of South Carolina Upstate and Stetson University.