[2023 MIAA Softball Athletes of the Week: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletes Association announced its Softball Athletes of the Week for the sixth week of the 2023 season. Nebraska Kearney's Sydeny Thomason swept this week's honors, being named the MIAA Hitter and Pitcher of the Week. 
 
MIAA Hitter of the Week – Sydney Thomason – Nebraska Kearney   
Sydney Thomason batted .563 with three homeruns and six RBI as Nebraska Kearney started league play on a strong note. The sophomore shortstop/pitcher was a combined 7-for-8 with two homeruns and four RBI in the Lopers’ sweep of Northwest Missouri. Thomason also hit a solo shot and tossed a complete game in UNK’s 2-1 win over Missouri Western.
 
MIAA Pitcher of the Week – Sydney Thomason – Nebraska Kearney     
Defensively, Sydney Thomason went 2-0 in the circle over the weekend while posting a 0.00 ERA in two appearances. Thomason first threw 2.0 innings of scoreless relief as the Lopers offense scored nine runs in the fifth to beat Northwest, 10-2. She then tossed the complete, five-hit game in UNK’s 2-1 win over Missouri Western. Thomason allowed no earned runs while fanning six batters. Offensively, the shortstop batted .563 with three homeruns.
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Hitters
Kara Amos – Missouri Southern
Kara Amos averaged .750 in at the plate over the week with a 1.500 slugging and .857 on-base percentage. The junior utility players finished with one home run, three RBI and scored three runs in helping the Lions to their first sweep over Central Missouri in Warrensburg since 2000. In game one of the MIAA doubleheader, an Amos single up the middle scored two runs to give MSSU the 3-2 advantage over the Jennies. In game two, Amos scored three times with two walks drawn, and hit solo home run to help lead the way to a 10-5 win.
 
Jacee Minter – Central Oklahoma
Jacee Minter led Central Oklahoma to a perfect 4-0 weekend to open league play as the Bronchos swept Emporia State and Washburn on the road. The junior outfielder hit .500 with two homers, three RBI and six runs scored. She had a 1.100 slugging percentage, and also drew seven walks to end the week with a .706 on-base percentage.
 
Hadley Kerschen – Washburn
Hadley Kerschen finished opening week of MIAA play hitting .615 (8-for-13) and scored a team-high seven runs while adding three RBI. The senior also did not strike out once. In game one against No. 6-ranked Central Oklahoma, Kerschen was 2-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored.
 
Pitchers
Paige Petefish – Central Missouri
Paige Petefish went 1-0 in two MIAA starts this past weekend, including a complete game in the Jennies 7-2 win over Pittsburg State. Petefish allowing four hits, two earned runs and struck out five against the Gorillas. The redshirt-sophomore then threw 6 1/3 innings against Missouri Southern allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out three Lions.
 
ALSO NOMINATED
Hitters: Callie Yellin (Rogers State), Abby Allnutt (Central Missouri), Kylee Bohle (Pittsburg State), Peyton Shapard (Fort Hays State), Olivia Daugherty (Northwest Missouri)
 
Pitchers: Jade Sanders (Rogers State), Savanah Eggers (Fort Hays State), Sam Pederson (Missouri Western), Avery Tallman (Missouri Southern)