Date Posted: 3/5/2007

MACON, Ga. – Gardner-Webb’s Joanna Ward and Kennesaw State’s Missy Hobdy claimed Atlantic Sun Conference Player and pitcher of the week honors respectively as announced by the league office on Monday afternoon.

Ward belted four homers and drove in nine runs to pace Gardner-Webb during a 4-3 week. The junior earned All-Tournament honors at the Buzz Classic after ripping three of her homers during the team’s five games at the tournament. For the week, the Charlotte, N.C., native hit .476 with a 1.146 slugging percentage and did not commit an error while splitting time between first base and catcher. Ward majors in Biology.

Hobdy headlined a week of outstanding performances in the circle around the conference. The senior went 2-0 with nine strikeouts in 14.1 innings of work. The Kennesaw, Ga., native fired a complete game shutout against Atlanta area rival Georgia State during the mid-week. The opposition managed just a .163 batting average versus the southpaw who posted a miniscule 0.63 earned run average. Hobdy majors in Pyschology.

The Atlantic Sun Conference hands out Player and Pitcher of the Week awards weekly during the 2007 softball campaign.

The 12-member league headquartered in Macon, Ga., consists of Belmont, Campbell, ETSU, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Mercer, UNF and Stetson with Florida Gulf Coast and USC Upstate beginning competition in 2007-08.

OTHER TOP PERFORMERS
• Brittany Stanley, Campbell
(Fr. – P – West Lafayette, Ind. – Undecided Major)
Went 2-0 with .148 opponent BA

• Jennifer Nolan, Kennesaw State
(Sr. – 3B – Woodstock, Ga. – Exercise & Health Science Major)
Batted .500 including two HR’s and four RBI versus Georgia State

• Jamie Madruga, Mercer
(Jr. – 1B – Warner Robins, Ga. – Criminal Justice Major)
5-for-5 with grand slam versus Savannah State

• Kelly Rutenbar, UNF
(Sr. – C – Lakeland, Fla. – Education Major)
Torched nationally ranked Arizona State for three hits including homer

Related Links:
 • A-Sun Softball