Watson earns USA South Athlete of the Week honors

By Chuck Tidmore

Sports Information Assistant

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Huntingdon senior Zack Watson was named an USA South Athlete of the Week on Monday.

The Century, Fla. native earned Baseball Pitcher of the Week honors for his performance in Game 1 against No. 14 ranked Piedmont College.

Watson threw a complete-game three-hitter in Friday's 14-1 win over the Lions. Watson improved to 4-2 on the season with the win and struck out seven, walked four and allowed one run in nine innings. After giving up two singles, two walks and a run in the first inning, Watson held Piedmont hitless in seven of the final eight innings.

Below is the complete list of USA South Athletes of the Week.

BASEBALL

Baseball Player of the Week
Johnny Carpenter, Maryville - The sophomore outfielder from West Palm Beach, Florida went a combined 10-for-16 (.625) with a .750 slugging percentage, three RBI, one run scored, two doubles, one walk and three stolen bases as the Scots posted a 2-2 record last week. In a 12-8 win over Sewanee, Carpenter was hitless but did record a run batted in. In dropping two out of three games to USA South foe Ferrum, Carpenter was a combined 10-for-14 (.714) with two RBI, one run scored, two doubles, one walk and three stolen bases. Also Nominated: Blake Butcher, LaGrange; Anderson Ramos, Ferrum; Ciro Norzagaray, N.C. Wesleyan; Hunter Ashworth, Averett; Luke Harvey, Covenant; Zach Neumeister, Greensboro; Pete Wildeboer, Methodist; Patrick Kucera, Huntingdon.

Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Zack Watson, Huntingdon - The sophomore from Century, Florida earned a complete-game victory in a 14-1 win over nationally-ranked USA South rival Piedmont in his only appearance on the mound for the Hawks last week. Watson allowed just one run on three hits with four walks and seven strikeouts. Also Nominated: Andrew Weekley, LaGrange; Jake Perkins, Ferrum; Dillon Moore, N.C. Wesleyan; Dallas Smithers, Averett; Garrett Kriston, Covenant; Josh Evans, Greensboro; Seth Beard, Methodist.

Baseball Rookie of the Week
Trey Croom, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman third baseman from Wilmington, North Carolina went a combined 5-for-15 (.333) with a .733 slugging percentage, six RBI, three runs scored, two home runs and two walks as the Bishops posted a 3-1 record last week. In an 11-9 win over St. Andrews, Croom was 1-for-4 with two RBI, one run scored and one home run. In winning two out of three games versus USA South foe Greensboro, Croom was a combined 4-for-11 with four RBI, two runs scored, one home run and two walks. Also Nominated: Jake Martin, Ferrum; A.J. Hart, Averett.

Baseball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Grant Kierpa, Covenant - The Milton, Georgia freshman earned a start for the first time in his career and earned a no-decision in a 3-2 loss to Berry in his only appearance last week on the mound for the Scots. Kierpa tossed the first five innings, allowing one unearned run on one hit with one walk and five strikeouts. Kierpa left the game with the scored tied 1-1. Also Nominated: Hunter Peck, Ferrum.

WOMEN'S LACROSSE

Lacrosse Player of the Week
Madison Ronelli, Methodist - The Orlando, Florida sophomore attack totaled nine points on seven goals and two assists with eight draw controls, five ground balls and five caused turnovers in a 2-0 week for the Monarchs versus USA South competition. In a 10-6 victory over Huntingdon, Ronelli had game-highs of four goals, five draw controls and four caused turnovers to go along with two ground balls. In a 14-6 win over LaGrange, Ronelli totaled three goals with two assists, three draw controls, three ground balls and one caused turnover. Also Nominated: Kayla Jones, Piedmont; Kirstin Norris, Greensboro; Katie Burnet, Meredith.

Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Jannelle Grant, Methodist - The Palm Beach, Florida freshman goalkeeper earned two wins in a 2-0 week for the Monarchs versus USA South competition. In 102 minutes in net, Grant allowed eight goals while making ten saves. In a 10-6 win over Huntingdon, Grant allowed just two goals in 43 minutes played while stopping six out of eight shots. In a 14-6 victory over LaGrange, Grant went the distance and made four saves. Also Nominated: Jenna Smith, Piedmont; Kirstin Norris, Greensboro; Katherine Sills, Meredith.

Lacrosse Rookie of the Week
Julie Capretti, Meredith - The Ashburn, Virginia freshman attack tallied ten points on four goals and six assists with three ground balls in a 2-0 week for the Avenging Angels versus USA South competition. In a 22-4 victory over LaGrange, Capretti scored twice with three assists and two ground balls. In a 23-4 win over Huntingdon, Capretti totaled two goals and three assists with one ground ball. Also Nominated: Ariana Kelty, Huntingdon; Jannelle Grant, Methodist; Mattie Keaton, Piedmont.

SOFTBALL

Softball Player of the Week
Dani Gravett, LaGrange - The senior infielder from Newnan, Georgia went a combined 12-for-21 (.571) with a 1.143 slugging percentage, 13 RBI, five runs scored, three doubles, three home runs, one walk and one stolen base as the Panthers posted a 3-3 record last week. In a doubleheader split with Wesleyan, Gravett was a combined 3-for-6 with three runs scored, two RBI, one double, one home run, one walk and one stolen base. In two losses to USA South rival William Peace, Gravett was a combined 4-for-7 with four RBI, two runs scored and two home runs. Finally, in a doubleheader sweep of USA South for Meredith, Gravett was a combined 5-for-8 with seven RBI and two doubles. Gravett also added two victories in the circle during the week. Also Nominated: Rachel Taylor, Maryville; Jessica Long, Averett; Shannon Schmitt, Covenant; Allyson Yeager, Greensboro; Amanda Roberts, Ferrum; Jessica Bagwell, Piedmont; Jessica Swindle, Huntingdon.

Softball Pitcher of the Week
Sarah Walker, Piedmont - The Lawrenceville, Georgia junior earned a 5-0 record in five appearances, four complete-game starts, in the circle for the Lions last week. In 29.2 innings pitched, Walker posted a 0.47 ERA and allowed five runs, only two of which were earned, on 24 hits with five walks and 12 strikeouts. Versus USA South competition, Walker was 3-0 with wins over Ferrum and Averett (twice). In her first victory over Averett, a 7-0 win, Walker tossed a complete-game, seven-hit, shutout with four strikeouts. Her two non-conference wins came against Emory & Henry and Pomona-Pitzer. Also Nominated: Mary Beth Smith, Averett; Kayla Aloisi, Maryville; Dawn Harris, Greensboro; Raina Lanier, Huntingdon.

Softball Rookie of the Week
Lindsey Coley, William Peace - The freshman outfielder from Olin, North Carolina went a combined 9-for-21 (.429) with seven RBI, four runs scored, one double and one home run as the Pacers posted a 3-3 record last week. In a doubleheader split with Randolph, Coley was a combined 3-for-6 with two RBI, two runs scored and one double. In a doubleheader sweep of USA South rival LaGrange, Coley was a combined 5-for-9 with three RBI, two runs scored and one home run. In both games versus LaGrange, Coley came through with hits which game the Pacers the lead heading into the final half inning. In two losses to USA South foe Huntingdon, Coley was a combined 1-for-7 with two RBI. Also Nominated: Alexus Murray, Maryville; Essence Pulliam, Averett; Madalyn Ames, Covenant; Nichole Wallace, Greensboro; Logan Barbour, Ferrum; Josie Coker, Piedmont; Bryce Smith, Meredith.

Softball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Melissa Eckman, Piedmont - The freshman from Perry, Georgia earned a 3-0 record in four appearances, all starts, in the circle for the Lions last week. In 18.0 innings pitched, Eckman posted a 1.56 ERA and allowed five runs, four of which were earned, on 16 hits with two walks and ten strikeouts. In an 8-0, five-inning, win over Emory & Henry, Eckman went the distance and allowed just two hits with four strikeouts to collect the shutout. In a 7-2 victory over Pomona-Pitzer, Eckman tossed the first 3.2 innings and allowed one run on five hits with one walk and two strikeouts. Finally, in a 10-2, five-inning, victory over USA South Ferrum, Eckman went the distance and allowed two runs on five hits with one strikeout. Also Nominated: Morgan Corland, Maryville; Maddy Wetherholt, Greensboro.

MEN'S TENNIS

Men's Tennis Player of the Week
Chris Cox, Covenant - The sophomore from Maitland, Florida earned a 3-0 record at both the number-two singles and number-one doubles positions last week for the Scots. Cox earned singles victories over opponents from Berry, USA South foe Averett and Centre. In doubles action, Cox teamed with Matthew Harvie to earn the three wins. Also Nominated: Sebastian Sikh, N.C. Wesleyan; Daniel Silva, Maryville; Nicolas Quevedo, Averett; Taylor Napier, Ferrum; Taylor Buchholz, Methodist; Matthew Metzger, Piedmont.

Men's Tennis Rookie of the Week
J.D. Telles, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman from San Salvador, El Salvador earned a 2-0 record at both the number-four singles and number-two doubles positions last week for the Bishops. Telles earned singles victories over opponents from USA South foe Averett and Division II Barton. In doubles, Telles teamed with Mike Konnov to collect the two wins. Also Nominated: Abdugani Ganiev, Averett; Anh Hoang, Ferrum.

WOMEN'S TENNIS

Women's Tennis Player of the Week
Heidi Sarkkinen, Averett - The freshman from Oulu, Finland earned a 3-0 record at number-one singles and a 2-1 mark at the top-doubles position last week for the Cougars versus USA South competition. In singles, Sarkkinen victories came versus N.C. Wesleyan, Covenant and Piedmont. In doubles, she teamed with Hannah Mattson to defeat N.C. Wesleyan and Olivia Scott to collect a win over Piedmont. Also Nominated: Florencia Sorrentino, N.C. Wesleyan; Maddy Little, Maryville; Caroline McBroom, Huntingdon; Gracie Smith, Covenant; Ran Zhang, Meredith; Amanda Blackwell, Piedmont.

Women's Tennis Rookie of the Week
Heidi Sarkkinen, Averett - The freshman from Oulu, Finland earned a 3-0 record at number-one singles and a 2-1 mark at the top-doubles position last week for the Cougars versus USA South competition. In singles, Sarkkinen victories came versus N.C. Wesleyan, Covenant and Piedmont. In doubles, she teamed with Hannah Mattson to defeat N.C. Wesleyan and Olivia Scott to collect a win over Piedmont. Also Nominated: Stephany Barbera, N.C. Wesleyan; Savannah Bain, Maryville; Josie Waddell, Huntingdon; Kate DeSilva, Meredith; Jenna Landis, Methodist; Jia Lee, LaGrange.

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