Sunshine State Conference

Sunshine State Conference Weekly Awards: March 27 - April 2

04.03.23

SSC Athletes of the Week | March 27 - April 2, 2023

Sunshine State Conference Athletes of the Week are chosen from a pool of nominees for their performances during the week of March 27 - April 2, 2023. Athletic Communication Directors of member institutions nominate athletes.

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Baseball Player of the Week

Bryce Safferwich / Florida Southern / So. / Outfield / Richmond, Virginia
Safferwich gets the Player of the Week nod for his numbers across four contests for Florida Southern. The Richmond, Virginia native was 12-for-21 at the plate with eight runs scored, 10 runs batted in, and three extra-base hits, which included two home runs. In a non-conference win at No. 11 Rollins, the sophomore went 3-for-5 with an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base. He followed with a 9-for-16 effort in a series sweep of Palm Beach Atlantic. Safferwich registered at least one hit, RBI, and run scored in all four contests. For the week, the outfielder tallied a .571 batting average, a .591 on-base percentage, and a .905 slugging percentage.

Baseball Pitcher of the Week

Mike Reagan / Barry / Sr. / Safety Harbor, Florida  

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Softball Player of the Week

Delaney Morgan / Embry-Riddle / So. / Center Field / Irvine, California
Morgan is tabbed Player of the Week for her performance in Embry-Riddle's conference sweep of Lynn. The sophomore from Irvine, California, was 7-for-9 at the plate with three runs batted in, four runs scored, two walks, and a home run. Morgan recorded multiple hits in all three games for the Eagles. For the week, she recorded a .778 batting average, a .818 on-base percentage, and a 1.111 slugging percentage. Defensively, the center fielder registered eight putouts in eight chances.

Softball Pitcher of the Week

Kayla Betts / Saint Leo / Jr. / Leesburg, Florida
Betts is named Pitcher of the Week for the fifth time in 2023 following two more complete game shutouts. The Leesburg, Florida product began the week with a seven-inning complete game shutout of Nova Southeastern, allowing a hit, three walks, and striking out 14 batters in SLU's 1-0 win. Betts retook the circle in game three of the series against NSU, allowed just two hits, and struck out seven batters in a five-inning 9-0 win for the Lions. For the week, Betts struck out 21 batters, allowed three hits, issued three walks, and held opposing hitters to a .077 batting average. The weekly award is the sixth of her career.
 

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Men's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week

Jack Johnstone / Rollins / So. / Midfield / Newnan, Georgia
Johnstone receives Offensive Player of the Week for the second time in 2023 for his play in Rollins' win over No. 3 Tampa. The midfielder from Newnan, Georgia, tallied a game-high five goals in the 12-6 upset victory. The sophomore recorded four straight Rollins goals between the second and third quarters, including the game-winner to secure the Tars' first-ever win against the Spartans. Johnstone scored his five goals on nine shots and six shots on goal.

Men's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week

Shahe Katchadurian / Rollins / Gr. / Goal / Goldens Bridge, New York  

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Men's Tennis Athlete of the Week

Luis Iriarte / Saint Leo / Jr. / Valencia, Venezuela
Iriarte is named Athlete of the Week for heavily contributing to Saint Leo's wins over No. 24 Florida Southern and No. 2 Barry. Against FSC, the junior won at #6 singles (6-4, 6-1) and #3 doubles (6-2), along with partner Nicolas Bacella. The Venezuelan followed with the clinching point in a 4-3 win over Barry at #6 singles (6-3, 7⁷-6⁴). Iriarte and Bacella were also victorious at #3 doubles (6-2), helping the Lions to the doubles point. With the play of Iriarte, the Lions earned the program's first-ever win in Miami Shores.

Women's Tennis Athlete of the Week

Natalie Espinal / Nova Southeastern / Sr. / Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Espinal claims Athlete of the Week by leading Nova Southeastern to wins over No. 4 West Alabama, NCAA Division I Drexel, and No. 2 Saint Leo. In singles play, Espinal went 3-0 with #2 singles wins over UWA (6-2, 6-3) and No. 10 Claudia Borbon Roca of SLU (6-2, 6-1), and a #1 singles win over Drexel (6-3, 6-3). In doubles play, the Honduran and teammate Fatima Bizhukova defeated UWA (6-4), Drexel (6-2), and SLU (6-2) at #1 doubles. The weekly award is the fourth of her career.
 

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Women's Golf Athlete of the Week

Melissa Ball / Eckerd / Fr. / St. Helens, England
Ball collects Golfer of the Week honors after tying for first place at the Golden Knights Orlando Invite at Eagle Creek Golf Club. The St. Helens, England native finished 4-under following career-low tying rounds of 71 and 71. With the play of Ball, Eckerd won this year's event against a six-team field by 45 strokes, following program records for a round (288) and a two-round tournament (580).
 

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Women's Rowing Boat of the Week

Varsity 4 / Embry-Riddle
Embry-Riddle's Varsity 4 boat of Alexis Mathis (coxswain), Veronika Zdrazil, Reagan Hurt, Alexandria Fife-Winslow, and Kristen Vigna earn Boat of the Week with their performance at the 2023 FIRA Championships. ERAU completed the 2,000-meter race in 7:53.18, besting Sunshine State Conference foes No. 7 Rollins (8:04.07) and No. 8 Barry (8:18.63) to finish second behind only No. 6 Central Oklahoma (7:40.14). This week's honor is the third of the season for ERAU's Varsity 4.
 

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