DALLAS – Charlotte’s
Bailey Vannoy and UAB’s
Olivia Valbak earned Conference USA Softball weekly honors, presented by
Blenders Eyewear. Vannoy is the Player of the Week, while Valbak garners Pitcher of the Week recognition.
Vannoy hit .500 (6-12) on the weekend with four home runs, a triple, five runs scored and eight RBI to help the 49ers (9-4) to a 3-1 record in the Queen City Classic. The C-USA Preseason Player of the Year now ranks eighth in league history in career runs (163) and RBI (165).
Valbak didn’t allow an earned run or a walk over 11 innings pitched, including a perfect game in Sunday’s 2-0 decision over Butler that moved the Blazers (10-7) to 8-2 at home this season and secured a winning record in the Green & Gold Classic.
Player of the Week – Bailey Vannoy, Charlotte – Graduate – Leander, Texas
Vannoy opened the weekend with a bang, homering in her first at-bat of the Queen City Classic to set the tone for an 11-1 victory over Boston University. She finished the game 3-3 at the plate with a pair of home runs and three RBI. Vannoy went 2-3 with another long ball and an RBI triple in a 10-0 shutout of Kent State and, in Sunday’s 7-3 triumph over Georgia Tech, blasted her fourth home run of the weekend to put Charlotte ahead 4-3 in the fifth inning.
Pitcher of the Week – Olivia Valbak, UAB – Sophomore – Ashburn, Va.
Valbak became just the second C-USA pitcher to record a perfect game in the last 14 seasons after she navigated seven flawless frames in a 2-0 victory over Butler. After a two-run home run from teammate
Sierra Frazier in the home half of the first gave Valbak an early cushion, she went on to strike out a pair of batters in the ensuing half inning and cruised to a historic outing. Valbak also tossed four innings without an earned run or a walk against ULM on Saturday.
2023 C-USA Players of the Week
F13 Kassidy Krupit, Charlotte
F20 Taylor Sanders, WKU
F27 Bailey Vannoy, Charlotte
2023 C-USA Pitchers of the Week
F13 Ashley Peters, North Texas
F20 Lena Elkins, Charlotte
F27 Olivia Valbak, UAB