KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced new Athletes of the Week for week six of the 2026 softball season. Pittsburg State’s Heather Arnett earned the Gorillas second Hitter of the Week honor of the season, and Central Oklahoma’s Madison Hamilton earned the Bronchos second consecutive Pitcher of the Week honor.
MIAA HITTER OF THE WEEK: Heather Arnett, Pittsburg State
Heather Arnett became the MIAA’s new career hits leader in a twin bill sweep over Minnesota State-Moorhead on Sunday (Mar. 8). In the first inning of game one, Arnett recorded a single to break the previous career hit record of 308, set by former Central Oklahoma player Morgan Heard (2015-18). The senior infielder went on to go 3-of-3 with two runs scored and two RBI from a pair of doubles. She ended the doubleheader with two more hits to have 313 in her career so far. She also added three stolen bases on the day. So far this season, the Pittsburg, Kan., native is hitting .589 with 53 hits, 40 runs scored, 23 stolen bases and 19 RBI. For her career, she’s hitting .464 with 313 hits, 213 runs scored, 140 stolen bases and 94 RBI.
MIAA PITCHER OF THE WEEK: Madison Hamilton, Central Oklahoma
Madison Hamilton led Central Oklahoma's home split with Drury, throwing 3.0 scoreless innings in the game one loss before tossing a complete-game, eight-strikeout victory in game two. In total, the freshman threw 10 innings and gave up four hits and two earned runs and one walk while striking out nine hitters.
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES:
HITTERS
Carsen Tinkler, Missouri Southern
Carsen Tinkler led the No. 8 Missouri Southern to a home doubleheader sweep against Minnesota State-Moorhead last Saturday (March 7). The senior third basemen hit .800 over the two games (1.200 SLG%, .833 OB%) in five at-bats. Tinkler opened the doubleheader, going 3-for-3 with two RBI, a double and two runs in the 7-1 win. She then went 1-for-2 with two RBI, a run, a double and a walk in the 9-1 finale. Tinkler is currently on a five-game hitting streak.
Peyton Shepard, Fort Hays State
Shepard went 6-for-7 at the plate in Fort Hays State’s doubleheader sweep of Bethany College. The senior outfielder totaled four RBI, scored three runs, and added three stolen bases in the doubleheader.
Ashlyn Finarty, Missouri Western
Ashlyn Finarty delivered a strong performance in the Griffons’ doubleheader sweep of Augustana on March 7 at Griffon Softball Field, helping MoWest secure a 9-8 win in game one and a 4-3 victory in game two. Overall, Finarty went 4-for-6 across the two games with two runs scored, three RBI, and one home run. She finished the day with a .667 batting average, a .571 on-base percentage, and a 1.167 slugging percentage. In the Griffons’ 9-8 game one win, Finarty produced a perfect 3-for-3 performance at the plate with two RBI and a run scored. She followed that effort in game two’s 4-3 victory by going 1-for-3 with a solo home run and an RBI to help power the offense in the close contest.
PITCHERS
Kiki Pickens, Missouri Southern
Kiki Pickens led the No. 8 Missouri Southern to a home doubleheader sweep of Minnesota State-Moorhead. Pickens went 1-0 over a complete seven-inning game with a 1.00 ERA and seven strikeouts. In the doubleheader opener with the Dragons, Pickens allowed just one run on three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.
Torie Sandoval, Missouri Western
Torie Sandoval delivered a strong performance in the circle across two appearances against Augustana on March 7, helping lead MoWest to a doubleheader sweep. Sandoval worked a total of 8.0 innings on the day, allowing six hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out four and issuing no walks for a 1.75 ERA. She first appeared in relief during the opener, tossing a scoreless inning to secure the save in the Griffons’ 9-8 victory. In game two, Sandoval took the ball as the starter and went the distance, pitching all 7.0 innings to earn the win in MoWest’s 4-3 walk-off victory. She allowed six hits, three runs(2 earned), and struck out four.
ALSO NOMINATED:
HITTERS – Emma Hague [Northwest Missouri], Rylee Lemos [Central Oklahoma], Addison Callaway [Emporia State]
PITCHERS – Solana Carpenter [Fort Hays State], Izzy Sloan [Emporia State], Gianna Galli [Nebraska Kearney]
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
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WEEK THREE HITTER: Kalee Higdon, Missouri Western
WEEK THREE PITCHER: Sadie Walker, Washburn
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WEEK FOUR HITTER: Lexie Davis, Pittsburg State
WEEK FOUR PITCHER: Hannah Butterbaugh, Emporia State
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WEEK FIVE HITTER: Rylee Lemos, Central Oklahoma
WEEK FIVE PITCHER: Shelby Beard, Central Oklahoma
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WEEK SIX HITTER: Heather Arnett, Pittsburg State
WEEK SIX PITCHER: Madison Hamilton, Central Oklahoma