Catala named USA South Athlete of the Week
By Chuck Tidmore
Sports Information Assistant
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Huntingdon's Dusty Catala was recognized by the USA South Athletic Conference on Monday.
The freshman was named Women's Tennis Rookie of the Week for her performance this past week. This is the third time Catala has been named Rookie of the Week this spring.
The Lady Hawks competed in Orlando, Fla., for spring break and posted a 2-1 record against Division II, DIvision III and NAIA competition. Catala competed at No. 1 singles and won two matches while winning three matches at No. 1 doubles with teammate Mariah Bastos.
In Huntingdon's first match of the week on Monday, Catala cruised to a 6-0, 6-0 singles win as the Lady Hawks won 9-0. In doubles, Catala and Bastos won 8-2.
In two matches on Tuesday, Catala started her day with a 6-1, 6-0 singles win and an 8-4 doubles win against the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez. Against George Fox University, Catala and Bastos took a close match, winning 9-8.
The Lady Hawks travel to Albany State on Tuesday before they close out their regular season on Friday and Saturday at home.
Below is the complete list of USA South Athletes of the Week.
BASEBALL
Baseball Player of the Week
Brady Ballstadt, Piedmont - The sophomore outfielder from Suwanee Georgia went a combined 9-for-16 (.563) with a .632 on-base percentage and a 1.000 slugging percentage to go along with five runs scored, six RBI, two doubles, one triple, one home run, three walks and five stolen bases as the Lions notched a 2-2 record last week. In a 20-16 loss to Oglethorpe, Ballstadt was 2-for-3 with one run scored, one run batted in, three walks and a USA South single-game record four stolen bases. In taking two out of three games from USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan, Ballstadt was a combined 7-for-13 with four runs scored, five RBI, two doubles, one triple, one home run and one stolen base. Also Nominated: Taylor Fought, Huntingdon; A.J. Hart, Averett; Alex Kerr, Covenant; Jake Martin, Ferrum; Edward Milian, Greensboro; Bryce Redaja, Maryville; Alex Scott, William Peace; Blane Swift, LaGrange.
Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Hunter Peck, Ferrum - The sophomore from Franklin, Virginia earned a complete-game shutout victory over USA South foe Greensboro, a 6-0 win, in his only appearance on the mound last week for the Panthers. Peck allowed five hits, did not walk anyone and struck out 13 batters. Also Nominated: Sam Carpenter, Piedmont; Matt Tuggle, Averett; Andrew Weekley, LaGrange; Luke Westmoreland, William Peace.
Baseball Rookie of the Week
Hayden Hollingsworth, Maryville - The freshman infielder from Nashville, Tennessee went a combined 7-for-15 (.467) with a .500 on-base percentage and a .733 slugging percentage to go along with five runs scored, four RBI, two triples, two walks, four stolen bases and one sacrifice fly in a 3-1 week for the Scots. In a 3-2 loss to Centre, Hollingsworth was 1-for-4 with one triple. In a three-game sweep of Berea, Hollingsworth was a combined 6-for-11 with five runs scored, four RBI, one triple, two walks, four stolen bases and one sacrifice fly. Also Nominated: Noah Heatherly, Piedmont; Chase McKinney, Averett; Christian Murray, Covenant; Tim Ortega, Ferrum; Brad Pennington, N.C. Wesleyan; Jacob Rodriguez, Greensboro.
Baseball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Sam Carpenter, Piedmont - The freshman from Gainesville, Georgia picked up a win in a 3-2 victory over USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan in his only appearance on the mound for the Lions last week. Carpenter tossed the first seven innings and allowed two runs, only one of which was earned, on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Also Nominated: Richie Post, LaGrange; Anthony Rodriguez, Maryville; Ross Skipper, Covenant; Sawyer Smith, Averett.
SOFTBALL
Softball Player of the Week
Hayley Rumley, Greensboro - The sophomore infielder from Snow Camp, North Carolina went a combined 9-for-13 (.692) with a .750 on-base percentage and a 1.308 slugging percentage to go along with eight runs scored, four RBI, five doubles, one home run, two walks and two stolen bases as the Pride earned a 3-1 record last week versus USA South competition. In a doubleheader sweep of Methodist, Rumley was a combined 4-for-5 with four runs scored, three RBI, three doubles and two stolen bases. In a doubleheader split with N.C. Wesleyan, Rumley was a combined 5-for-8 with four runs scored, one run batted in, two doubles and one home run. Also Nominated: Josie Coker, Piedmont; Samantha Hall, Averett; Breanna Herman, Salem; Peyton Hyler, N.C. Wesleyan; Heather McLean, William Peace; Samara Miller, Huntingdon; Sarah Watson, Meredith.
Softball Pitcher of the Week
Kelsey Durham, William Peace - The sophomore from Graham, North Carolina earned a 3-0 record in three appearances, two starts, last week for the Pacers versus USA South competition. Durham tossed a total of 17.0 innings without allowing a run on 15 hits with six walks and 12 strikeouts. In a 7-0 victory over N.C. Wesleyan, Durham tossed a complete-game shutout and allowed eight hits with three walks and five strikeouts. In a 2-0 victory over Methodist, Durham again hurled a complete-game shutout and allowed five hits with one walk and six strikeouts. Finally, in a 5-4 win over Methodist, Durham came on in relief to toss the final three innings without allowing a run on two hits with two walks and one strikeout. Also Nominated: Taylor Bailey, Averett; Julia Cerasi, Meredith; Melissa Eckman, Piedmont; Raina Lanier, Huntingdon; Carsyn Stone, Covenant; Sydney Vaughn, Salem; Maddy Wetherholt, Greensboro.
Softball Rookie of the Week
Kaitlyn Aherron, Averett - The freshman third baseman from Alton, Virginia went a combined 10-for-17 (.588) with a .708 on-base percentage and a 1.294 slugging percentage to go along with nine runs scored, 17 RBI, one double, one triple, three home runs, seven walks and five stolen bases as the Cougars earned a 4-2 record last week versus USA South competition. In a doubleheader split with Meredith, Aherron was a combined 1-for-4 with one run scored, four RBI, one double, three walks and one stolen base. In a doubleheader split with Mary Baldwin, Aherron was a combined 5-for-8 with four runs scored, four RBI, one triple, one home run, one walk and two stolen bases. Finally, in a doubleheader sweep of Ferrum, Aherron was a combined 4-for-5 with four runs scored, nine RBI, two home runs, three walks and two stolen bases. Also Nominated: Cassie Collins, Greensboro; Breanna Herman, Salem; Rayven Lawrence, Piedmont; Erika Mast, Covenant; Samara Miller, Huntingdon.
Softball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Julia Cerasi, Meredith - The freshman from Apex, North Carolina earned a 2-0 record with two saves in four appearances, two starts, last week for the Avenging Angels. Cerasi tossed a total of 20.0 innings and posted a 0.35 ERA while allowing two runs, only one of which was earned, on eight hits with six walks and 14 strikeouts. In a victories over USA South foes Averett and Ferrum, Cerasi went the distance each time to record wins. In each contest, she allowed one run and struck out five batters. In the team's other two games of the week, Cerasi came on in relief to close the games without allowing a run in either appearance to collect the saves. Also Nominated: Taylor Bailey, Averett; Sydney Vaughn, Salem.
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
Lacrosse Player of the Week
Carlee Joseph, Meredith - The Hollywood, Maryland junior attacker totaled 19 points on 14 goals and five assists in a 3-0 week for the Avenging Angels. She also added three ground balls, two draw controls and two caused turnovers. In a 12-11, overtime, win over Bridgewater, Joseph notched four goals and two assists with one ground ball. In a 23-3 victory over USA South foe LaGrange, Joseph scored five times with one assist, two ground balls and one caused turnover. Finally, in an 19-3 win over USA South rival Huntingdon, Joseph totaled five goals, two assists, two draw controls and one caused turnover. Also Nominated: Monti Hendrix, Methodist; Caitlin O'Brien, Piedmont; Natalie Ritchey, Greensboro.
Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Alyssa Codispoti, Meredith - The Raleigh, North Carolina senior defender totaled eight ground balls, seven draw controls and five caused turnovers to go along with one score as the Avenging Angels posted a 3-0 week. In a 12-11, overtime, win over Bridgewater, Codispoti notched three ground balls, two draw controls and two caused turnovers. In a 23-3 victory over USA South foe LaGrange, Codispoti contributed three ground balls, two draw controls and two caused turnovers while adding a goal. Finally, in an 19-3 win over USA South rival Huntingdon, Codispoti totaled three draw controls, two ground balls and one caused turnover. Also Nominated: Sarah Ewin, Methodist; Devan Macheras, Greensboro; Francesca Malabad, Piedmont.
Lacrosse Rookie of the Week
Monti Hendrix, Methodist - The Buford, Georgia freshman defender tallied ten points on eight goals and two assists with 14 draw controls, five ground balls and four caused turnovers in a 3-0 week for the Monarchs versus USA South competition. In a 10-5 win over Ferrum, Hendrix notched two goals and one assist with three draw controls, two ground balls and two caused turnovers. In a 17-1 victory over Huntingdon, Hendrix tallied two goals with one assist, three ground balls, three draw controls and one caused turnover. Finally in a 20-5 win over LaGrange, Hendrix totaled four goals, eight draw controls and one caused turnover. Also Nominated: Maria Codispoti, Meredith; Cassidy Heflin, Piedmont.
MEN'S TENNIS
Men's Tennis Player of the Week
R.J. Clement, Methodist - The junior from Sugar Hill, Georgia earned 2-0 record at both number-one singles and doubles last week for the Monarchs versus USA South competition. In singles play, Clement earned wins over opponents from Ferrum and William Peace. In doubles, Clement teamed with Jacob Oehser and Reid Rose to collect the victories. Also Nominated: Marcos Escuderro Herrero, Maryville; Chris Cox, Covenant; Sebastian Sikh, N.C. Wesleyan; Abdugani Ganiev, Averett; Robbie Werner, Piedmont.
Men's Tennis Rookie of the Week
Logan Hull, Covenant - The freshman from Conyers, Georgia earned a 2-1 singles and doubles record last week for the Scots. In singles play, at the number-three position, Hull grabbed the match-clinching win over USA South rival Piedmont before falling later in the week to an opponent from nationally-ranked Sewanee. He also earned a victory at the number-two singles position over an opponent from Berea. In doubles, Hull teamed with Micah Fox, to gain wins over Piedmont and Berea. Also Nominated: Reid Rose, Methodist; Nicolas Yanes, Averett; Jackson Hill, Piedmont.
WOMEN'S TENNIS
Women's Tennis Player of the Week
Heidi Sarkkinen, Averett - The sophomore from Oulu, Finland earned a 2-0 record at both the number-one singles and doubles positions last week for the Cougars versus USA South competition. In singles play, Sarkkinen earned wins over opponents from William Peace and Mary Baldwin. In doubles, Sarkkinen teamed with Hannah Mattson to collect the two wins. Also Nominated: Claire Luger, Covenant; Andrea Tobar, N.C. Wesleyan; Morgan Buchholz, Piedmont; Caroline McBroom, Huntingdon.
Women's Tennis Rookie of the Week
Dusty Catala, Huntingdon - The freshman from LaBelle, Florida earned a 2-1 singles record and a 3-0 doubles mark at both number-one positions last week for the Hawks. In singles play, Catala earned win over opponents from Webber and Puerto Rico-Mayaguez. Her lone loss was to Sarah Tuemmler of George Fox who is currently ranked tenth in the West Region. In doubles, Catala teamed with Mariah Bastos to collect the three wins. Also Nominated: Esther Eddy, Covenant; Miriam Lindberg, Averett; Morgan Buchholz, Piedmont.
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