LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Nebraska’s Kaylan Jablonski and Missouri’s Cheyenne Baxter were named Louisville Slugger NFCA Division I National Player of the Week, for games played March 27-April 2, announced the Association on Tuesday afternoon.
Jablonski played a key role in Nebraska’s road Big Ten road sweep of then-No. 22 Wisconsin. Excelling in the circle and at the plate, she went 3-0 with 2.45 ERA, while hitting .545 (6-for-11) with three doubles, a home run, four RBI and three runs scored. She surrendered seven runs over 20 innings to an offense that was ranked fourth in the NCAA in scoring (7.3 runs per game). Making three long relief appearances, Jablonski entered in the second inning of game one, allowing three runs over the final seven innings. The junior from Omaha, Neb. also went 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBI and was part of back-to-back home runs in the eighth inning of a 7-4 win. She went another seven innings in game two, while driving in two runs and finished the weekend with a six-inning outing and was 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and two runs scored.
“I am so honored and grateful to receive this award, and I would like to thank the NFCA for this honor,” said Jablonski. “I would also like to thank my coaches and teammates for the fight they had this weekend. Playing beside them and with them makes the game fun, and I am very thankful I get to battle with them every week.”
Baxter picked up both wins as Missouri earned its first-ever SEC series win against Alabama. She limited the Crimson Tide to an earned run over 13.1 innings, posting a 0.53 ERA with 12 K and a .191 batting average against. She opened the series with a complete-game shutout, scattering six hits, striking out five and walking two. In the series finale, she totaled 6.1 innings, allowing a run on three hits with seven strikeouts. After being pulled after 3.1 innings, Baxter re-entered with the game tied 3-3 and shut down Alabama over the final three innings setting up the walk-off win.
“My catcher, Kirsten Mack, and I have our own game plan that we try to execute each outing,” said Baxter. “We want to spin, locate and mix up each and every pitch. Receiving this honor feels like a team accomplishment. There were many great defensive plays and key offensive hits that led to my individual success and the team’s success over Alabama this past weekend.”
Player of the Week
April 4 – Kaylan Jablonski (Nebraska)
March 28 – Brooke Vines (Tennessee)
March 21 – Braxton Burnside (Missouri)
March 14 – Chloe Miller (Wisconsin)
March 7 – Alex Mycek (East Carolina)
Feb. 28 – Mo Mercado (Arizona)
Feb. 21 – Bailey Landry (LSU)
Feb. 14 – Mary Stephens (Missouri State)
Pitcher of the Week
April 4 – Cheyenne Baxter (Missouri)
March 28 – Danielle O’Toole (Arizona)
March 21 – Sierra Hyland (Cal Poly) & Emily Watson (Tulsa)
March 14 – Alexis Osorio (Alabama)
March 7 – Kelsee Selman (Baylor)
Feb. 28 – Sam Show (Texas A&M)
Feb. 21 – Jessica Burroughs (Florida State)
Feb. 14 – Taran Alvelo (Washington)
Selected Top Performances
Madison Canby, Columbia (Ivy League Pitcher of the Week)- 4-0, 0.94 ERA, 3 ER, 6 K, .203 opp. BA; Kelsey Hysong, Akron (MAC East Player of the Week)- .700, (7-for-10), 3 2B, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 4 R; McKinley Brinkerhoff, Weber State (Big Sky Player of the Week)- .778 (7-for-9), 2B, 5 R, 4 SB; Jenna Forman, Butler (BIG EAST Player of the Week)- .846 (11-for-13), 5 R, R, 6-6 SB; Emily Clark, Ohio State (Big Ten Co-Player of the Week)- 7-for-8, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 7 R, .917 OBP, 1.750 SLG; Sammey Bunch, UNI (MVC Player of the Week) – 7 H, 4 2B, 3B, HR, 10 RBI, 1.600 SLG; Kali Kossakowski, North Illinois (MAC West Player of the Week) – .750, 7 H, 3 HR, 8 R, 5 RBI; Katie Koshes, UConn (American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week)- 2-0, save, 20 K, SHO; Megan Betsa, Michigan (Big Ten Pitcher of the Week)- 3-0, 3 SHO, 28 K, 4 BB; Kendyl Lindaman, Minnesota (Big Ten Freshman of the Week)- .500, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R, .700 OBP, 2.000 SLG; Jordan Dixon, Marshall (Conference USA Pitcher of the Week)- 3-0, 3 SHO, 21 K, no-hitter vs. Morehead State; Maggie Balint, Oregon (Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week)- 4-0, 0.00 ERA, 17 K, 0 R, 17 K, 3 BB, 4 H, 11 IP.