LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced its Softball Athletes of the Week. In the East, West Chester's Ceara O'Neal earned Athlete of the Week honors, while Kutztown's Amanda Slabicki was recognized as Pitcher of the Week. In the West, Slippery Rock's Maddie Cavenaugh (Athlete) and Seton Hill's Lacey Lynn (Pitcher) took home the honors.
Eastern Division Athlete of the Week
Ceara O'Neal
West Chester
Third Base
Sophomore
Hamilton, N.J. / Steinert
O’Neal had a tremendous week at the plate as she helped West Chester run its winning streak to eight and start off PSAC East play 2-0 with a sweep of Lock Haven on Saturday. On Thursday against Jefferson, O’Neal went 5-for-7 in the doubleheader with six RBI and a pair of runs scored. Three of O’Neal’s five hits were for extra bases, with a pair of doubles and her first home run as a Golden Ram in a 9-1 game-one victory over the Rams. On Saturday against Lock Haven, O’Neal stayed hot and was 5-for-8 with four RBI and a pair of runs scored, including a home run in both games as West Chester swept a doubleheader from Lock Haven with a 5-3 win in game one and a 10-2 victory in six innings in the nightcap.
Eastern Division Pitcher of the Week
Amanda Slabicki
Kutztown
Pitcher
Senior
Langhorne, Pa. / Neshaminy
Slabicki threw a gem last Friday afternoon in game two of a sweep over Mansfield. Slabicki helped Kutztown to the win by throwing a complete game shutout, allowing just five hits, while striking out six and walking just one batter, throwing only 62 pitches. The Mounties never had a runner reach further than second base all game, and that only happened twice.
Western Division Athlete of the Week
Maddie Cavenaugh
Slippery Rock
Centerfield
Freshman
Bridgeville, Pa. / South Fayette
Cavenaugh led Slippery Rock to a 2-0 week to kickoff PSAC West play. For the week, Cavenaugh went 6-for-8 with seven RBIs, five runs, three stolen bases, two home runs and one walk. In game one of the doubleheader against Clarion, Cavenaugh finished 2-for-3 with two runs, one walk, one stolen base and a three-run walk-off home run to win 11-3 in five innings. In game two of the doubleheader against the Golden Eagles, the freshman ended the game going 4-for-5 with four RBIs, three runs and two stolen bases. Canvenaugh hit her second three-run home run in as many games. Also, Cavenaugh was just a triple shy of the cycle in game two's 18-9 win in six innings.
Western Division Pitcher of the Week
Lacey Lynn
Seton Hill
Pitcher
Junior
Roaring Spring, Pa. / Central
Lynn went 2-0 in the circle with a pair of PSAC West wins this weekend. She had two complete game wins. Lynn threw a three hit shutout in the win over UPJ. She struck out 10 on the weekend.