Chadron State’s Eatmon, California (Pa.)’s Sagl Named Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II National Player and Pitcher of the Week

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Chadron State senior Jessica Eatmon and California (Pa.) junior Alex Sagl were selected Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II National Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively, for games played April 20-26 announced the Association on Wednesday afternoon.

 

Eatmon saved her best for last. The senior outfielder finished her career in style, batting .667 (12-for-18) with six home runs, 10 RBI and 10 runs scored in the final six games of her collegiate career. Eatmon, a native of Broomfield, Colo., recorded a hit in every game, scored in five of six contests, posted three multi-hit outings and two multi-homer games and slugged 1.667.

“This season was one of the most trying, yet amazing seasons I’ve ever been a part of,” said Eatmon. “My team and I faced a lot of challenges which brought us closer. We struggled in the beginning to click, but we battled and started to play well together. During my last week of softball, I was at the point where I had no stress whatsoever and wanted to have fun. That’s why I started playing the game, because it was fun, and wanted to end my softball days the same. A big part of my family came to support the Eagles and I wanted to make my family and Coach Stack proud. Every at bat I went up with a smile on my face and a song in my heart, just like my dad taught me. I swung hard and things went my way.”

Eatmon began the week with a bang, connecting on two-run home runs with four RBI and two runs scored in game one of doubleheader against Nebraska Kearney. She continued with a monstrous outing in two wins against Colorado Mesa in which she went 7-for-7 with three round trippers, five RBI and six runs scored. Eatmon went 4-for-4 in the first game and scored a career-high four runs in the second contest against the Mavericks. She closed out her career by homering in her final game.

“Jess had a phenomenal week hitting the ball, one which she had never come close to in her four years playing at Chadron State,” said head coach Dr. Robert Stack. “It was fitting that with her completing her collegiate playing career last week, she was honored with this great accomplishment.

Sagl went 4-0 with two saves to help California go 8-0 and clinch a berth in the PSAC Tournament. A native of Oakville, Ontario, Canada, Sagle registered a 0.78 ERA with 47 strikeouts and held her opponents to a .167 batting average in 27 innings of work. She saved her best for last, striking out a career-high 15 and yielding just one unearned run on two hits in a complete-game victory over Edinboro.

“I am truly honored to be receiving this award, but I could never have done it without the help of my team behind me,” Sagl said. “I have been fortunate enough to have a great coach, who has taught me a lot and helped me get where I am now. Without their help, I wouldn’t have the save success that I have had over the years.”

Sagl opened her week with a two-hit complete-game shutout (eight strikeouts) against IUP and followed that with a 11-strikeout complete-game victory at Mercyhurst. Sagle returned in the nightcap to secure the win with a two-inning four-strikeout save. She picked up her third victory and second save of the week in a doubleheader sweep against Gannon, striking out nine over six innings of work.

“This is an awesome and well deserved honor for Alex and our team,” said head coach and NFCA Hal of Famer Rick Bertagnolli. “This award replicates all the work, desire and effort Alex has put in over the years. Our team is very proud to be a part of this wonderful accomplishment.”

Player of the Week
April 29 – Jessica Eatmon (Chadron State)
April 22 – Lyndsay Butler (Wayne State)
April 15 – Jenelle Trautmann (Augustana)
April 8 – Jackie Couillard (Mercy)
April 1 – Colleen Aubrey (Hawai’i Hilo)
March 25 – Tiffany Gillaspy (Missouri Western)
March 18 – Tiffany Hollingsworth (Humboldt State)
March 11 – Stephanie Mark (Northwest Missouri State)
March 4 – Jayne MacDonald (Cal State East Bay)
Feb. 25 – Ashley Walker (Winona State)
Feb. 18 – Nicole Nobbe (Cal State San Bernardino)

Pitcher of the Week
April 29 – Alex Sagl (California Pa.)
April 22 – Morgan Foley (Indianapolis)
April 15 – Hannah Perryman (Missouri-St. Louis)
– Kimmy Reynolds (Tiffin)
April 8 – Julia Morrow (Tampa)
April 1 – Caitlyn Calhoun (Valdosta State)
March 25 – Vianna Gutierrez Touchtone (St. Mary’s)
March 18 – Hannah Perryman (Missouri-St. Louis)
March 11 – Caitlyn Calhoun (Valdosta State)
March 4 – Courtney Poole (North Georgia)
Feb. 25 – Shea Coats (Oklahoma Christian)
Feb. 18 – Caitlyn Calhoun (Valdosta State)

Selected Top Performances
Texas Woman’s Alyssa Galaz was named Lone Star Player of the Week after helping Pioneers clinch the two seed with three wins at then-No. 2 West Texas A&M; She recorded three home runs, eight RBI, six runs, a 1.143 slugging percentage and scored game-winning run in game one… Chico State’s Desiree’ Gonzalez was selected CCAA Player of the Week after batting .533 (8-for-15) with seven extra base hits (2 HR, 5 doubles) and 1.267 slugging percentage… Northern Sun Pitcher of the Week Kelly Franks of St. Cloud State was 4-0 with 57 strikeouts in 31 innings of work and tossed a 17-strikeout no-hitter on Sunday versus University of Mary… MIAA Hitter of the Week, Fort Hays State’s Tori Beltz hit .412 with three home runs two doubles and eight RBI… Julia Morrow of Tampa was named Sunshine State Pitcher of the Week after she posted three complete-game victories, including a shutout, and allowed just one earned run (0.33 ERA) and struck out 21 in 21 innings… Sonora Zukerman of Cameron was named Lone Star Pitcher of the week after picking up two complete-game wins with six strikeouts against then-No. 13 Angelo State; She also batted .412 with three homers and seven RBI… Augustana’s Caitlin Nichol grabbed Northern Sun Player of the Week accolades after batting .429 with two doubles, three home runs, nine RBI and seven runs scored… MIAA Pitcher of the Week, Emmie Robertson of Pittsburg State went 4-0 with 32 strikeout in 31 innings, posted a 1.31 ERA and held her opponents to a .181 batting average… RMAC Pitcher of the Week, New Mexico Highlands’ Jessica Brink went 3-0 with two complete-game victories, 15 strikeouts and a 0.82 ERA… Union’s Kelly Robey was named Gulf South Pitcher of the Week after earning five complete-game wins, striking out 48 and posting a 1.00 ERA in 35 innings of work… Jensen Cromer of Newman batted .778 with seven RBI, a 1.222 slugging percentage and .833 OBP to capture Heartland Player of the Week honors… St. Mary’s Vianna Gutierrez Touchtone went 2-0 with a 0.50 ERA and 14 strikeouts to pick up the Heartland Pitcher of the Week plaudit… Wayne State’s Lyndsay Butler went 3-1 with a 0.76 ERA, 34 strikeouts and one shutout in 27.2 innings to earn GLIAC Pitcher of the Week accolades… California’s Lindsay Reicoff was selected PSAC West Athlete of the Week after batting .424 with three home runs, eight RBI and 13 runs scored… PSAC East Pitcher of the Week, Shippensburg’s Liz Parkins tossed a no-hitter against Mansfield, picked up two victories and struck out 13… Findlay’s Lauren Trumpler hit .692 with 18 hits, four home runs, 15 RBI and 10 runs scored to take home GLIAC Player of the Week honors… Savannah Miller of Cal Baptist launched two grand slams, tripled, knocked in eight and batted .556 in a three-game sweep of Dominican… Regis University’s Susie Oury batted .643 (9-for-14) with a double, three triples, two home runs and eight RBIs.