USA South Athletes of the Week - March 5, 2012

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.)

Baseball Player of the Week
Kyle Newcomb, Averett - The senior outfielder from Chesapeake, Virginia went 8-for-14 (.571) with nine RBI, seven runs scored, four doubles and one triple as the Cougars posted a 2-1 record last week. In an 18-4 win over Virginia University of Lynchburg, Newcomb was 3-for-4 with four RBI, three runs scored, one double and one triple. In a two-game split with USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan, Newcomb was a combined 5-for-10 with five RBI, four runs scored and three doubles. Also Nominated: Joey Donofrio, Shenandoah; Seth Caison, Greensboro; Tyler Younger, Methodist; Wes Walker, Ferrum; Jake Alexander, N.C. Wesleyan; Luke Saunders, Christopher Newport.

Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Greg Goldsmith, Christopher Newport - The Falls Church, Virginia junior earned a 1-0 record last week in two appearances for the Captains. Goldsmith totaled 14 innings pitched and did not allow a run on eight hits with five walks and 15 strikeouts. In a 3-1 loss versus nationally-ranked Adrian, Goldsmith earned a no-decision by tossing seven shutout innings on four hits with three walks and nine strikeouts. In a 2-0 win over USA South rival Greensboro, Goldsmith collected the victory by again tossed seven shutout innings, allowing four hits and two walks with six strikeouts. Also Nominated: Michael Cobb, Greensboro; Tyler Long, Averett; Cory Nelson, Shenandoah.

Softball Player of the Week
Shatora Lane, Shenandoah - The senior outfielder from Stephens City, Virginia went 5-for-8 (.625) with five RBI, one run scored and one double as the Hornets posted a 2-0 record last week. In a 10-0 win over Baruch, Lane was 2-for-4 with two RBI, one run scored and one double. In a 6-5 victory over seventh-ranked Salisbury, Lane collected the game-winning hit and was 3-for-4 with three RBI. Also Nominated: Brooke Hensley, Averett; Amanda Warley, N.C. Wesleyan; Chelsea Mitchell, Christopher Newport; Hayley Hicks, Greensboro; Karly Thompson, Ferrum.

Softball Pitcher of the Week
Brooke Over, Shenandoah - The Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania senior earned a victory over seventh-ranked Salisbury in her only appearance last week for the Hornets. In the 6-5 victory, Over tossed five innings, allowing three runs on five hits with two walks and four strikeouts. Also Nominated: Amanda Beirne, Meredith; Hannah McLeod, Peace; Rachel Shumaker, Ferrum.

Lacrosse Player of the Week
Brooke Hewartson, Ferrum - The Leesburg, Virginia junior midfielder tallied 27 points on 17 goals and ten assists in a 3-1 week for the Panthers. Hewartson also accumulated 15 groundballs, 14 draw controls and ten caused turnovers. In a 19-14 loss to Birmingham Southern, Hewartson totaled four goals and two assists to go along with four draw controls and one groundball. In a 15-6 win over Millsaps, Hewartson scored six goals while adding three groundballs, two draw controls and one caused turnover. In a 17-2 victory over USA South foe LaGrange, Hewartson notched four goals and four assists to go along with eight groundballs, six caused turnovers and five draw controls. Finally, in a 16-0 win over USA South rival Agnes Scott, Hewartson accumulated seven goals, eight assists, 11 groundballs, nine caused turnovers and eight draw controls. Also Nominated: Brittany Ziobro, Greensboro; Jasmine Stephens, Methodist; Lauren King, Christopher Newport; Samantha Sisson, Shenandoah.

Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Ashley Cross, Shenandoah - The Agawam, Massachusetts sophomore goalkeeper earned a 3-0 record last week for the Hornets by accumulating a 6.33 goals against average and a .525 save percentage. In a 14-5 win over Frostburg State, Cross made eight saves, collected two groundballs and caused one turnover. In an 18-7 win at USA South rival Methodist, Cross stopped three shots and collected one groundball. Finally, in an 8-7 win at Guilford, Cross made ten saves and collected three groundballs. Also Nominated: Amanda Cheney, Ferrum; Stephanie Green, Christopher Newport.

Women's Tennis Player of the Week
Katherine Meindl, Methodist - The junior from Butler, Pennsylvania earned a win over opponents from Guilford at both the number-one singles and doubles flights last week. She earned a straight-set singles win after teaming with Laura Baker to earn a doubles victory. Also Nominated: Danielle Simpson, Greensboro; Marion Gloor, Christopher Newport.

Rookies of the Week

Baseball Rookie of the Week
Brian Armstrong, Methodist - The freshman infielder from Stuart, Florida went 9-for-12 (.750) with three runs scored, three RBI and two triples as the Monarchs posted a 1-2 record last week. In an 8-4 loss to Virginia Wesleyan, Armstrong was 3-for-4 with one run scored and one triple. In a 4-2 loss at nationally-ranked Piedmont, Armstrong was 2-for-3. Finally, in an 11-7 win over Montclair State, Armstrong was 4-for-5 with three RBI, two runs scored and one triple. Also Nominated: James Feldmann, Greensboro; Timothy Coston, Averett; William Johnson, N.C. Wesleyan; Corbin Lucas, Shenandoah.

Baseball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Dustin Bare, N.C. Wesleyan - The Hays, North Carolina freshman earned one save in three relief appearances last week for the Bishops. Bare totaled 4.1 innings pitched without allowing a run or a hit with one walk and two strikeouts. In a 6-5 loss to Johnson & Wales (RI), Bare tossed one inning of perfect relief. In a 6-2 win over Johnson & Wales (RI), Bare totaled three innings of scoreless relief, allowing one walk with one strikeout. Finally, in a 20-13 win over USA South foe Averett, Bare struck out the only batter he faced. Also Nominated: Ryan Spangler, Averett; Matt Riegler, Shenandoah; Jordan Boze, Christopher Newport.

Softball Rookie of the Week
Alicia Eichenlaub, Ferrum - The freshman infielder/outfielder from Rocky Mount, Virginia went 7-for-19 (.368) with four RBI, three runs scored, four walks and three stolen bases. In a 10-0 win over Capital, Eichenlaub was held hitless but did score a run after drawing a walk. In a 2-0 loss to Augustana (Ill.), Eichenlaub was held hitless. In a 10-2 win over SUNY Canton, Eichenlaub was 1-for-1 with one run batted in and one run scored. In a 9-0 win over Wartburg, Eichenlaub was 2-for-3 with one run batted in, one run scored and one stolen base. In a 10-2 win over Johnson & Wales (RI), Eichenlaub was 1-for-3 with two RBI, one walk and one stolen base. In a 2-0 victory over Concordia-Morehead, Eichenlaub was 1-for-2 with one walk. In an 8-3 win over Grove City, Eichenlaub was 2-for-2 with one walk and one stolen base. Finally, in a 7-4 victory over Cornell College, Eichenlaub was hitless. Also Nominated: Emily Dunford, Averett; Lizzy Martin, Shenandoah; Victoria Wright, Peace.

Softball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Jackie Nicholson, Greensboro - The Snow Camp, North Carolina freshman earned a 1-0 record last week in two starts for The Pride. Nicholson totaled 11 innings pitched and did not allow a run with seven strikeouts. In a 3-0 win over USA South foe Meredith, Nicholson pitched six shutout innings, allowing three hits and four walks with three strikeouts to earn the victory. In a 2-1 loss to Piedmont, Nicholson earned a no-decision after tossing five shutout innings, allowing three hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Also Nominated: Kelsi Bailey, N.C. Wesleyan; Amy Hamlett, Averett.

Lacrosse Rookie of the Week
Liz Bereit, Shenandoah - The Latrobe, Pennsylvania freshman defender tallied eight points on six goals and two assists last week as the Hornets posted a 3-0 record. Bereit also accumulated nine draw controls, five groundballs and two caused turnovers last week. In a 14-5 win over Frostburg State, Bereit scored one goal, collected one groundball and one draw control. In an 18-7 win at USA South rival Methodist, Bereit tallied five scores and added two assists to go along with six draw controls, two groundballs and one caused turnover. Finally, in an 8-7 win at Guilford, Bereit collected two groundballs, two draw controls and one caused turnover. Also Nominated: Cassandra Walker, Methodist; Katie Vu, Christopher Newport; Nadya Fedun, Greensboro; Sydney Hewartson, Ferrum.

Women's Tennis Rookie of the Week
Angela Stallman, Christopher Newport - The freshman from Fairfax, Virginia earned a 2-0 record at both the number-five singles and number-three doubles slots last week for the Captains. Stallman earned wins over opponents from Chowan and Bryn Mawr. Also Nominated: Emily Talley, Methodist.

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