Courtesy of the NEC
NEC Player of the Week
Kristen Gabelt, Robert Morris
Outfield, Junior, Ligonier, PA/Ligonier Valley
Gabelt was on fire this week for the Colonials, going 6-12 with a four RBIs and a blistering 1.333 slugging percentage. In a doubleheader against Penn State, Gabelt went 3-6 on the day with a double. The junior started NEC play with an opening weekend statement against Mount St. Mary’s. In game one, Gabelt went 2-3 with two home runs. In game two, Gabelt followed with her third blast of the day. Gabelt, who also reached base safely two other times against the Mount, produced the first multi-homer game by a Colonial since 2011. Gabelt leads the NEC in total bases and is among the top-five in the league in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, hits, home runs and doubles. Gabelt’s third three-RBI effort of the season helped RMU sweep its NEC-opening doubleheader for the third time in four years.
NEC Pitcher of the Week
Nicole Sleith, Robert Morris
Pitcher, Senior, Smithton, PA/Yough
Sleith tossed three complete games in three starts, picking up a pair of wins for the Colonials this past week. In a 2-0 loss to Big Ten rival Penn State, Sleith struck out 11 without allowing an earned run. In the Colonials NEC opener against Mount St. Mary’s, the senior threw complete games to sweep the Mount. Sleith struck out 17 Mountaineers to push her over the 800 career strikeout mark. For the week, Sleith recorded a 2.45 ERA,fanned 28, and allowed only four walks. Sleith has recorded a complete game in each of her 17 starts.
NEC Rookie of the Week
Niki Gonzalez, Mount St. Mary’s
Catcher, Freshman, Tucson, AZ/Canyon Del Oro
Gonzalez hit a scorching .600 for the week to pace the Mountaineers to a 3-3 record. The freshman registered nine hits, including two home runs and one double to go with five RBIs and five runs scored. Gonzalez posted a hit in all six games during the week to extend her hitting streak to seven and has now hit safely in 10 of her last 11 outings. Gonzalez’s sixth inning two-run home run in game two against Coppin State on Wednesday proved to be the game winner in a 7-5 victory. Gonzalez went 5-for-8 with a home run in Sunday’s doubleheader against Robert Morris and NEC Pitcher of the Week Nicole Sleith.
