Courtesy of the NEC
NEC Player of the Week
Kat Malcolm, Central Connecticut
Outfield, Senior, Branford CT/Mercy
Malcolm had another impressive week for the Blue Devils, posting a .438 average with two RBI and five runs scored. The senior went 2-3 and scored a run in a 3-2 loss against perennial power South Florida last Monday. Malcolm was the driving force behind a 2-1 win over Purdue on Tuesday, going a perfect 3-3 and blasted the game winning solo shot in the fifth inning. The senior posted a hit in four of the five games for the Blue Devils, including two multi-hit games as Central Connecticut went 2-3 for the week.
NEC Pitcher of the Week
Laura Messina, Central Connecticut
Pitcher, Senior, Marlton, NJ/Camden Catholic
Messina continued to go the distance for the Blue Devils, hurling three complete games in three starts and launching herself to a tie for the national lead in complete games with nine for the season. Messina started the weekend off going the distance in a close 3-2 loss against South Florida. The senior had an 11 strikeout performance against Purdue and did not allow an earned run against the Boilmakers. Messina closed out her week with a six-inning shutout in an 8-0 win over Yale on Thursday. The Marlton, NJ native struck out 20 over 19 innings, posted a 1.42 ERA, and held opposing batters to a .250 average for the week.
NEC Rookie of the Week
Nicole Paiotti, Saint Francis U
Infield, Freshman, Oakland, NJ/Indian Hills
The freshman was a nightmare for opposing pitchers, batting a torrid .632 over six games for the Red Flash last week as Saint Francis U posted a 6-1 record for the week. The freshman reached base safely in all six games, posting hits in five, and recording two perfect days at the plate. Paiotti blasted her first career home run to give the Red Flash the lead in a 5-2 win over Maryland on Tuesday. Paiotti set the tone for the weekend at the Liberty University Tournament in the opening 13-7 win against Quinnipiac on Friday going 3-5 with a double and two RBI. The freshman went a perfect 4-4 in a 5-0 win against North Carolina Central on Saturday and followed with another perfect day, going 3-3 in the lone loss of the weekend in a 1-6 decision to Kent State on Sunday. The Oakland, NJ native drove in five run, scored two, and posted a .842 slugging percentage for the week.
