USA South Athletes of the Week - Feb. 27, 2012

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.)

Baseball Player of the Week
Jake Pendergraft, Shenandoah - The senior outfielder from Knoxville, Maryland went 15-for-23 (.652) with seven RBI, seven runs scored, five doubles and two stolen bases as the Hornets posted a 4-1 record last week. In an 8-2 win over King's (Pa.), Pendergraft was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and one double. In a 13-4 victory over Mt. Aloysius, Pendergraft was 4-for-5 with three RBI and one double. In a 14-4 win over Eastern Mennonite, Pendergraft was 3-for-5 with two RBI, one run scored and two doubles. Finally, in a two-game split with USA South foe Averett, Pendergraft was a combined 6-for-8 with four runs scored, two RBI, one double and two stolen bases. Also Nominated: Connor Madden, Christopher Newport; Jimbo Newcomb, Averett; Paul Jaglowski, Ferrum; Seth Caison, Greensboro.

Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Chris Walker, Ferrum - The Rustburg, Virginia sophomore earned a complete-game victory over USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan in his only appearance last week for the Panthers. Walker tossed all nine innings of Ferrum's, 5-1 win, allowing one unearned run on five hits with one walk and nine strikeouts. Also Nominated: Cody Moore, Averett; Vince Claudio, Shenandoah; John Atkins, Greensboro.

Softball Player of the Week
Brittany Evans, Greensboro - The senior second baseman from Creedmoor, North Carolina went 8-for-13 (.615) with seven RBI, two runs scored and one home run as The Pride posted a 2-2 record last week. In a 3-1 loss to Roanoke, Evans was 1-for-2 with one run scored. In a 6-5 win over Emory & Henry, Evans was 3-for-4 with two RBI. In a 9-1 loss to Salisbury, Evans was 2-for-3. Finally, in an 11-0 win over Stevenson, Evans was 2-for-4 with five RBI, one run scored and one home run. Also Nominated: Jordan Wolford, Shenandoah; Leah Gibson, Averett; Jacey Quarles, Peace; Karly Thompson, Ferrum.

Softball Pitcher of the Week
Jessica Hogle, Mary Baldwin - The Verona, Virginia junior earned a 3-0 record last week in four appearances for the Fighting Squirrels. Hogle totaled 21 innings pitched and two earned runs on 14 hits and seven walks with 19 strikeouts. In a 24-0 win over St. Elizabeth, Hogle earned a complete-game shutout win by pitching all five innings and allowing one hit and one walk with seven strikeouts. In a 6-3 win over Salem, Hogle collected a complete-game win by allowing two earned runs on eight hits and two walks with five strikeouts. In a 9-1 victory over St. Augustine's, Hogle earned the win by tossing seven complete-innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts. Finally, in a 15-4 loss to Wilson, Hogle collected a no-decision by pitching two innings and allowing one unearned run on one hit with two walks. Also Nominated: Brooke Over, Shenandoah; Leanna Fann, N.C. Wesleyan; Rachel Shumaker, Ferrum; Jessica Farmer, Methodist; Amanda Beirne, Meredith.

Lacrosse Player of the Week
Courtney Hamm, Ferrum - The Raleigh, North Carolina sophomore midfielder tallied six points on four goals and two assists in a season-opening loss, 17-13, to Sweet Briar. Hamm also contributed five draw controls and two groundballs in the defeat. Also Nominated: Jasmine Stephens, Methodist; Justina Ludwig, Shenandoah; Melissa Gallaher, Greensboro; Lauren King, Christopher Newport.

Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Emily Johnson, Christopher Newport - The Gainesville, Virginia sophomore defender tallied seven groundballs, five caused turnovers and two draw controls last week as the Captains posted a 1-1 record. In a 10-9 loss to Washington & Lee, Johnson collected four groundballs and caused two turnovers. In a 13-11 win over St. Mary's (Md.), Johnson caused three key turnovers to go along with three groundballs and two draw controls. Also Nominated: Ashley Cross, Shenandoah.

Men's Tennis Player of the Week
Austin Wang, Methodist - The sophomore from Birmingham, Alabama earned a 3-1 combined record at the number-three and four singles flights, along with a 3-0 record at the number-three doubles flight over the past two weeks. In singles play, Wang collected wins over opponents from Piedmont, Chowan and regionally-ranked Queens. In doubles, Wang teamed with Dillon Sullivan to collect all three victories. Also Nominated: David Lembke, Averett; Matt Troy, Greensboro; Eric Shulman, Christopher Newport.

Women's Tennis Player of the Week
Laura Baker, Methodist - The sophomore from Lincolnton, North Carolina earned a win at the number-three singles flight last week over an opponent from nationally-ranked Mary Washington. In her only other singles action, at the number-two spot, Baker fell in three sets to her opponent from Chowan. Also Nominated: Mollie Musgrave, Meredith; Justine Cherochak, Averett.

Rookies of the Week

Baseball Rookie of the Week
James Feldman, Greensboro - The freshman infielder from Danville, Virginia went 5-for-10 (.500) with four runs scored, one run batted in and one stolen base as The Pride posted a 2-1 record last week. In a 6-4 loss to Maine-Presque Isle, Feldman was held hitless but did manage one run batted in. In a doubleheader sweep of USA South foe Methodist, Feldman was a combined 5-for-7 with four runs scored and one stolen base. Also Nominated: Chris Power, Methodist; Timothy Coston, Averett.

Baseball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Matt Riegler, Shenandoah - The Sicklerville, New Jersey freshman earned the win in a 13-4 victory over Mt. Aloysius in his only appearance on the mound last week. Riegler tossed six innings, allowing one unearned run on five hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Also Nominated: Elliott McKinney, Averett; Michael Inman, Methodist; Javin Metz, Ferrum.

Softball Rookie of the Week
Jonquil Brown, Mary Baldwin - The freshman first baseman from Waynesboro, Virginia went 10-for-16 (.625) with six runs scored, three RBI, one double, one triple, one home run, two walks and two stolen bases as the Fighting Squirrels posted a 3-1 record last week. In a 24-0 win over St. Elizabeth, Brown was 4-for-5 with four runs scored, three RBI, one triple, one home run and one stolen base. In a 6-3 win over Salem, Brown was 1-for-3 with one run scored and one walk. In a 9-1 victory over St. Augustine's, Brown was 2-for-5 with one run scored and one stolen base. Finally, in a 15-4 loss to Wilson, Brown was a perfect 3-for-3 with one double and one walk. Also Nominated: Carla Matthews, N.C. Wesleyan; Lauren Martin, Peace; Lizzy Martin, Shenandoah; Jackie Nicholson, Greensboro; Amanda White, Meredith; Emily Dunford, Averett; Sarah Stapleton, Methodist.

Softball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Kayla Malone, Methodist - The Willard, North Carolina freshman earned a 2-1 record last week in four appearances for the Monarchs. Malone totaled 18 innings pitched and a 3.50 ERA with 11 strikeouts. In a 4-3 loss to York (Pa.), Malone took the defeat after tossing six innings and allowing three earned runs on 12 hits and one walk with five strikeouts. In a 7-3 win over Piedmont, Malone earned a complete-game victory by pitching all seven innings and allowing two earned runs on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts. In a double-header split with Roanoke, Malone earned the win in the first contest then collected a no-decision in game-two. Also Nominated: Leah Powell, Averett.

Lacrosse Rookie of the Week
Hope Motohari, Methodist - The Wilmington, North Carolina freshman midfielder tallied three goals in a season-opening loss, 15-12, to Randolph-Macon. Motohari also contributed four draw controls, two caused turnovers and one groundball in the defeat. Also Nominated: Katie Vu, Christopher Newport; Mary Kogler, Shenandoah.

Men's Tennis Rookie of the Week
Dillon Sullivan, Methodist - The freshman from Morganville, New Jersey earned a 4-0 combined record at the number-four and five singles positions and a 4-0 mark at the number-three doubles slot during the last two weeks for the Monarchs. In singles action, Sullivan earned wins over opponents from Oglethorpe, Piedmont, Chowan and regionally-ranked Queens. In doubles play, Sullivan teamed with Austin Wang to collect the four wins. Also Nominated: Matthew Miller, Greensboro; Peter Hviid, N.C. Wesleyan; Jyri Hayrinen, Averett.

Women's Tennis Rookie of the Week
Elledeia Ijames, Peace - The freshman from Wendell, North Carolina earned a 1-1 record at both the number-four singles and number-two doubles flights last week. Ijames' wins came over opponents from USA South foe Ferrum to help the Pacers defeat the Panthers and snap a 19-match Conference losing streak. Also Nominated: Caroline Hunt, Meredith; Emily Talley, Methodist; Yvonne Kamegne, N.C. Wesleyan.

PLEASE NOTE: At least half of the teams in a sport must have competed within the previous week for honors to be awarded.