West Division Player of the Week

Stacie Skodinski, Eastern Michigan, So., Shortstop, South Bend, Ind./Washington

Skodinski helped the Eagles to a 3-1 mark at the USF “The Game” Tournament, hitting .769 with six RBI and five extra base hits in the four contests. The shortstop hit a two-run home run to cap an EMU rally to defeat No. 22 Louisville, 3-2 (Feb. 22). Against the Cards, Skodinski went 2-for-3 while scoring two runs to help EMU to its first win against a ranked opponent since the Eagles defeated No. 21 Louisville, 3-2, March 26, 2006. In an 8-0 blanking of Albany, Skodinski was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, knocking in three runs. Against Florida A&M, she went 3-for-4, including two doubles, with an RBI and run scored to help the Eagles defeat the Rattlers, 6-4.

East Division Player of the Week

Erin Zilka, Buffalo, Sr., Infield, Benicia, CA/Benicia

Zilka finished Buffalo's opening weekend with a .455 batting average and went 5 for 11, including a double at the K-Club Classic in Kennesaw, GA. Also had the RBI for the winning run against Memphis in the ninth inning to help Buffalo go 2-2 on the weekend.

West Division Pitcher of the Week

Michelle Hletko, Eastern Michigan, Jr., Westmont, Ill./Westmont

Hletko pitched the 11th no-hitter in EMU history, Friday, Feb. 20 in an 8-0, five-inning win over Albany. Hletko struck out two en route to her first career no-hitter against the Great Danes. In helping the Eagles to a 3-1 mark at the USF “The Game” Tournament, she pitched 13.0 innings while notching five strikeouts and allowing only five hits. Hletko also pitched 4.2 innings against No. 22 Lousiville, striking out two for no decision. She boasts a 1-0 record with a 1.08 ERA.

East Division Pitcher of the Week

Jessica Simpson, Miami, Fr., North Canton, Ohio/Hoover

Went 2-1 over weekend with first career shutout against Drexel. Averaged over one strikeout per inning with 19 in 18.1 innings pitched. Allowed only three earned runs in three starts, holding hitters to a .213 batting average. Threw three complete games over weekend.

Additional Nominees for Player of the Week

Jen Reifschneider, Ball State, Jr., First Base, Wichita, Kan.

Reifschneider knocked her first Ball State home run out of the park Friday against No. 16 Georgia.  The three-run homer was the only hit for the Cardinals.  The following day, she would find the same spot over the wall for her second career home run to give Ball State an early lead 1-0.  On a last attempt for a comeback, Jen Reifschneider bombed her second solo homerun of the day, third in two games, over the center field wall to tie the game at four a piece.  She totaled three home runs, four hits and five RBI in four games.

Andrea Colosimo, Northern Illinois, Outfielder/Pitcher, Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg

Down 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth, Andrea Colosimo hit a grand slam against No. 18 Houston propelling the Huskies to a 5-3 victory over the Cougars in the Houston Marriott Classic Saturday. She then went out to the pitcher's circle in the top of seventh to close out the game. It was her first career home run. She then belted her second career homer against McNeese State Sunday.

Lauren Odom, Miami, Fr., Outfield/Catcher, Villa Rica, Ga./Alexander

Was team's leading hitter over weekend hitting 5-for-9 while splitting time in outfield and catching. Recorded first career RBI (she missed opening week with injury) against Kennesaw State while hitting a perfect 2-for-2 with a walk. Also was 2-for-3 with an RBI against Drexel.

Alexis Zambrana, Ohio, Fr., Infielder, Alvin, Texas

Zambrana hit .333 and slugged .500 while leading leading Ohio in RBI and slugging during the week. She also tied for the team-lead in hits with two. In the 'Cats' first game of the week against Morehead State, Zambrana went 1-for-3. She followed it in the second game of the double header with another 1-for-3 outing, including an RBI double.

Additional Pitcher of the Week Nominees

Elizabeth Milian, Ball State, Jr., Grand Blanc, Mich.

Milian helped the Cardinals to their first win of the season over UNC Greensboro Friday.  Pitching a complete game, she struck out 14 batters while giving up just three walks.   She added five more strikeouts Saturday against Marshall and did not allow a run until the third inning.  Milian also added a double into left field as the game was tied 1-1.  Milian earned her second win of the season, helping her team to a 15-3 victory over IUPUI Sunday.  In six innings, (third complete game) she struck out five batters and gave up no walks.  Over the course of three games, Milian struck out 24 batters while giving up just 19 hits and six walks.

Terese Diaz, Buffalo, Fr., San Diego, CA/Helix

Diaz picked up two wins while throwing 16 innings in helping Buffalo to a 4-3 win over Drexel and a 2-1 win over Memphis at the K-Club Classic in Kennesaw, GA. The freshman recorded a 1.75 ERA striking out 19 batters on the weekend.