LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced its Softball Athletes of the Week. In the East, East Stroudsburg's Megan Chroniger earned Athlete of the Week honors, while Shippensburg's Dani Hayward was recognized as Pitcher of the Week. In the West, IUP's Madison Pikula (Athlete) and Slippery Rock's Rachel Baker (Pitcher) took home the honors.
Eastern Division Athlete of the Week
Megan Chroniger
East Stroudsburg
Outfield
Freshman
Prince Frederick, Md. / Prince Frederick
Through four games, Chroniger posted a .636 batting average, went 7-for-11 at the plate, scored five runs, batted in five, had one double, two triples, and two home runs. Both home runs were against Millersville on Friday and went 4-for-6 at the plate. On Tuesday against Kutztown, she went 3-for-5 at the plate and hit two triples, scored two runs and batted in two.
Eastern Division Pitcher of the Week
Dani Hayward
Shippensburg
Pitcher
Sophomore
Hamburg, Pa. / Berks Catholic
Shippensburg only ended up playing one doubleheader this week due to its pre-existing schedule and then weather postponements, but Dani Hayward had the best outing of her career Tuesday as the Raiders swept Shepherd. She was in a pitcher's dual with Ram ace Madelayne Ruffner and came out top, 3-0, despite only getting two hits and striking out 14 times against Ruffner. Hayward pitched a complete game in the circle, striking out five batters and not giving up a walk. It was Hayward's second shutout of the season and fourth of her career. She allowed just two hits, her lowest total allowed in a full seven-inning game. The last time Ship faced Shepherd on April 9, 2025, Hayward only allowed three hits. Hayward struck out two batters in the bottom of the seventh to secure the Raider win. The two teams combined for only four hits, two from each team. It was the first time that the Raiders have won both ends of a conference doubleheader by shutout in nearly 20 years, dating back to April 11, 2006 (1-0 and 2-0 wins over East Stroudsburg).
Western Division Athlete of the Week
Madison Pikula
IUP
Second Base
Senior
Port Vue, Pa. / South Allegheny
Pikula had nine hits on the week, bringing her one shy of her 200 career hits at IUP. She drove in 11 runs over four games, including two games with four RBIs. She had a bases-clearing triple to secure the game against Gannon on Sunday in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Crimson Hawks a two-run lead.
Western Division Pitcher of the Week
Rachel Baker
Slippery Rock
Pitcher
Freshman
Canal Fulton, Ohio / Manchester
Baker finished the week with a 2-1 record with a 2.10 ERA in 20 innings. During her three starts, Baker gave up just six runs on 13 hits and six walks with 16 strikeouts. The freshman's highlight performance game in a complete game shutout in a 5-0 win vs. Edinboro. Baker ended the game against the Fighting Scots giving up just two hits and two walks with four strikeouts in seven innings.