KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced new Athletes of the Week for week two of the 2026 softball season. Missouri Southern’s Katie Gray was named the MIAA Hitter of the Week and Missouri Western’s Harley Pruetting was named the MIAA Pitcher of the Week.
MIAA HITTER OF THE WEEK: Katie Grey, Missouri Southern
Katie Gray led Missouri Southern as the Lions went 5-1 at the Alvy Early Memorial Classic last weekend (Feb. 6-8). The senior infielder hit .500 with eight hits, recorded a 1.375 slugging percentage and had a .636 on-base percentage. Gray hit home runs in four-straight games to conclude the Classic. She also totaled two doubles, 11 RBI and five walks over the tournament. Gray had a hit in all six games and two hits against both Southeastern Oklahoma and Southwest Baptist. She set both the Missouri Southern all-time career RBI record with 143 total (surpassing Diane Miller's 134 in 1989-92) and career home run record with 30 total (surpassing Dawn Grass’ 28 in 2010-14) over the weekend as well.
MIAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Harley Pruetting, Missouri Western
Harley Pruetting went 2-0 across three appearances for the Griffons over the weekend, posting a spotless 0.00 ERA in 10.2 innings of work. The senior allowed just four hits and did not surrender an earned run, limiting opposing hitters to a .121 batting average. Pruetting struck out 15 batters with only one walk. She also earned the save in a 2-0 win over No. 13-ranked Angelo State and delivered a dominant relief outing in game one of a doubleheader against Ouachita Baptist, striking out eight while allowing just one hit in the 5-4 victory with five innings pitched.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
HITTERS
Sailor Hall, Pittsburg State
Sailor Hall led the Gorillas to a five-win weekend, playing in the Southern Colorado Crossover in Pueblo, Colo. Hall hit an impressive .636 batting average and slugged 1.273 with seven hits, six runs scored, five RBI and two walks over four games. She had back-to-back games with a homerun and scored at least one run in each game.
Dalaney Anderson, Washburn
Dalaney Anderson had an RBI in four of five games last week. including a two-run game against Harding to total 10 RBI overall as Washburn was 4-1 for the weekend in the Alvy Early Memorial Classic in Bentonville, Ark. Her best game of the week came in Washburn’s 13-1, six-inning win over Harding, as she hit two home runs and drove in four total runs. In the weekend finale, her home run in the sixth inning delivered the game's biggest swing—a three-run home run that put the Ichabods ahead 6-5 against Truman State.
Rylee Lemos, Central Oklahoma
Rylee Lemos went 5-for-15 with three triples and 10 RBI as the Bronchos collected four wins (4-0) while hosting the UCO-OC Softball Festival in Edmond. The senior outfielder entered the year tied for the UCO career triples record (17) and hit three on the weekend to enter first place in school history with 20 triples. All three of Lemos' triples were bases-loaded hits. She also scored six runs this week, two in the 6-5 win against Eastern New Mexico, three in the dominant 26-7 win over Highlands, and one more in the 7-1 win against Black Hills State.
PITCHERS
Emily Davis, Missouri Southern
Emily Davis went 2-0 in the circle as the Lions went 5-1 at the Alvy Early Memorial Classic. She posted a 0.00 ERA in three appearances with a complete-game shutout in the finale against William Jewell. Davis pitched 14.2 innings over the week, allowing just 11 hits with no earned runs and 17 strikeouts. In the 4-0 win against William Jewell, she notched nine strikeouts over the complete-game shutout. Davis also had eight strikeouts in the Lions’ 7-1victory over Arkansas Tech. She allowed four hits with no earned runs in the contest.
Lexi Franklin, Pittsburg State
Lexi Franklin earned one win in two appearances for the Gorillas over the weekend. In 9.0 innings pitched, she allowed six hits with no runs scored while striking out 14 total batters.
Kinsley Hill, Rogers State
Kinsley Hill was phenomenal in the circle for the Hillcats at the Rogers State Festival. The true freshman collected two shutouts against Upper Iowa (3-0) and Southwest (1-0) Oklahoma State. Hill allowed just four hits and walked two batters while striking out eight in 10.0 innings of work.
ALSO NOMINATED:
HITTERS – Taylor Thompson [Central Missouri], Avery Brewer [Emporia State], Korynn Tindel [Northeastern State], Mariah Belzer [Rogers State], Omara Love [Northwest Missouri], Bailey Peterson [Nebraska Kearney], Ashlyn Finarty [Missouri Western]
PITCHERS – Hannah Butterbaugh [Emporia State], Jadyn Streigle [Northwest Missouri], Carleigh Kinnaird [Central Oklahoma], Teilar Fry [Nebraska Kearney], Sadie Walker [Washburn]
2026 MIAA ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
WEEK ONE HITTER: Korynn Tindel, Northeastern State
WEEK ONE PITCHER: Emily Davis, Missouri Southern
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WEEK TWO HITTER: Katie Gray, Missouri Southern
WEEK TWO PITCHER: Harley Pruetting, Missouri Western