PITMAN --- The New Jersey Athletic Conference has announced its softball weekly award winners for the week ending March 22.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
GINA MAHLIK • Kean University
Sophomore • Shortstop • Bernardsville, NJ/Bernards
Mahlik is named NJAC Player of the Week after going a blistering 10-for-12 (.833) with four RBI, four runs scored, a double, and a stolen base across Kean's 4-0 week. The sophomore recorded at least one hit in every game, going 3-for-3 with two RBI in the opener against John Jay before collecting three more hits in game two against Drew. Mahlik capped her week with a 3-for-4 effort that included a double and an RBI in the nightcap against the Rangers. She also played error-free defense at shortstop, handling all 10 of her chances cleanly while turning a double play.
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
MAYA KNASIAK • The College of New Jersey
Junior • Pitcher • Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape
Knasiak has been selected as NJAC Pitcher of the Week for the third time in four weeks after delivering a pair of one-hit, complete-game shutouts with 22 strikeouts in just 12 innings of work. The junior opened her week fanning 10 batters across seven frames in a 3-0 win over Centenary, then was even more dominant two days later in a 14-0 victory over Maine-Presque Isle, striking out 12 in five innings while allowing just one hit. Opposing batters hit a combined .056 against Knasiak on the week, and she walked just one batter across both starts. She was also a force at the plate, slashing .667/.714/1.000 with five RBI in her two appearances.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
ZOE TURNER • Montclair State University
Freshman • Outfield • Rockaway, NJ/Morris Hills
Turner claims NJAC Rookie of the Week after swiping 10 stolen bases across Montclair State's 4-0 week, bringing her season total to 19 — tied for the NJAC lead and already halfway to the program record. The freshman also scored six runs and batted .364 with four hits, including a 2-for-3 effort with four stolen bases against Hunter on Saturday and a 2-for-4 performance with three more steals in the nightcap. Turner reached base at a .533 clip thanks to four walks and was a disruptive force on the basepaths all week, stealing at least one base in every game.
ROOKIE PITCHER OF THE WEEK
BROOKE McHALE • Montclair State University
Freshman • Pitcher • Jersey City, NJ/Weehawken
McHale earns her first and Montclair State’s third NJAC Rookie Pitcher of the Week after tossing six scoreless innings across two relief appearances in Montclair State's 4-0 week. The freshman delivered her biggest outing in Thursday's 5-4 win over Stevens, entering in relief and spinning five shutout innings while allowing just three hits and striking out two to earn the victory. She returned Saturday against Hunter and pitched a scoreless inning to help close out an 8-0 win in five innings. McHale also recorded her first collegiate hit and RBI at the plate against Hunter.