Michigan and Minnesota Earn Big Ten Weekly Softball Awards

by | Apr 29, 2019 | Headlines, RRSN News | 0 comments

Wolverines’ Faith Canfield and Alex Storako, and Gophers’ Natalie DenHartog and Amber Fiser receive Big Ten’s top honors this week

Player of the Week

Faith Canfield, Michigan

2B – Sr. – Garden Grove, Calif. – Pacifica – Major: Sport Management

Posted a 1.000 batting average, 1.000 on-base percentage and 2.000 slugging percentage with two home runs, seven RBI and 10 runs scored last week as the nationally-ranked Wolverines won four games, all against Big Ten opponents

Reached base in all 15 of her plate appearances last week, collecting eight hits and walking four times, while also being hit by a pitch three times

Four of her eight hits went for extra bases, including a grand slam on April 23 against Michigan State and a leadoff home run in the first inning on April 27 against Penn State

Earns her third career Player of the Week honor (first since March 5, 2018)

Last Michigan Player of the Week: Alex Sobczak (April 1, 2019)

Co-Pitcher of the Week

Amber Fiser, Minnesota

RHP – Jr. – Van Horne, Iowa – Benton Community – Major: Business Marketing

Went 3-0 with a 0.82 ERA in 17.0 innings in the circle last week, recording a complete-game shutout and 34 strikeouts with only four walks to help the nationally-ranked Golden Gophers sweep five games against two conference opponents

Tossed a five-inning two-hit shutout over Iowa on April 26, striking out eight

Earned wins in both ends of a doubleheader at Wisconsin on April 24, registering 10 strikeouts in each game

Received Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Academic All-Big Ten recognition in 2017-18

Claims her ninth career Pitcher of the Week award and fifth this season, the latter total tying for the third-most Pitcher of the Week honors in one season in conference history (Michigan’s Marissa Young and Jordan Taylor were selected six times in 2002 and 2011, respectively)

Last Minnesota Pitcher of the Week: Amber Fiser (April 22, 2019)

Co-Pitcher AND Co-Freshman of the Week

Alex Storako, Michigan

RHP – Fr. – Frankfort, Ill. – Lincoln Way East – Major: Sport Management

Tallied a 2-0 record with a 0.58 ERA in 12.0 innings in the circle last week, registering a complete-game shutout and 21 strikeouts with two walks as the nationally-ranked Wolverines defeated Big Ten opponents in all four of their outings

Posted a five-inning one-hit shutout on April 27 against Penn State, striking out nine while facing only one batter over the minimum

Allowed only three hits and recorded 10 strikeouts on Sunday in the series finale against PSU

Chosen for her first career Pitcher of the Week honor

Last Michigan Pitcher of the Week: Meghan Beaubien (March 25, 2019)

Earns her first career Freshman of the Week honor

Last Michigan Freshman of the Week: Lexie Blair (April 22, 2019)

Co-Freshman of the Week

Natalie DenHartog, Minnesota

OF – Fr. – Hopkins, Minn. – Hopkins – Major: Undeclared

Finished with a .667 batting average, .706 on-base percentage and 1.667 slugging percentage, plus three home runs, 11 RBI and four runs scored last week in aiding the Golden Gophers to five wins, all against Big Ten schools

Eight of her 10 base hits last week went for extra bases, adding four doubles and a triple to her three home runs

Went 4-for-4 in the opener at Wisconsin on April 24 and drove in five runs in the nightcap of that Big Ten doubleheader (four on a sixth-inning grand slam)

Secures her third career Freshman of the Week award

Last Minnesota Freshman of the Week: Natalie DenHartog (April 1, 2019)

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