SXU's Matlock, USF's Boyle Garner Weekly Softball Recognition
CHICAGO --- A robust .737 batting average from Saint Xavier University's Haley Matlock (Indianapolis, Ind.) and a three-win week by University of St. Francis' Emily Boyle (Union Grove, Wis.) during the seven-day period from March 23-29 have resulted in the pair earning Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference weekly softball honors, the league office announced on Tuesday.
Matlock could not have done any more than she did in the Cougars' perfect 6-0 week, going 14-for-19 at the plate with 11 runs batted, another 12 scored and eight stolen bases to claim CCAC Player of the Week recognition.
The senior outfielder hit safely and drove in at least one run in each of the six contests she appeared in and currently has a streak of five multi-hit games going. In three of those affairs, she put up three hits, including the last two games of a three-game set versus Indiana South Bend over the weekend. She also scored no less than two runs in each of the Cougars' last five games.
Matlock's top RBI game – three – came in an 18-3 defeat of Trinity Christian College last Tuesday. That started a string of four straight games of two-plus RBIs. It was also the first of her three three-hit games.
Defensively, Matlock was credited with nine putouts and one assist from the outfield.
Saint Xavier remained perfect in the league (9-0) and is 20-9 overall.
Boyle played a role in each of St. Francis' four victories on the week to net CCAC Pitcher of the Week accolades for the second time this season. She went 3-0 with one save and a 1.13 earned run average. She also recorded 15 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings.
Each of Boyle's three wins were complete-game efforts, highlighted by her 8-0 shutout of Calumet College of St. Joseph last Tuesday. In that outing, she went six innings, striking out five batters opposite three walks and three hits allowed.
One day later, the junior hurler struck out seven batters in just five innings in an 11-3 victory against the Crimson Wave.
Boyle's save came in the first game of the seven-day period, where she recorded the final two outs of a 6-5 victory over CCSJ. Inserted with runners on second and third base, she coaxed a popup followed by a game-ending strikeout to preserve the win.
USF's 4-1 week improved its overall record to 22-8 and its league mark to 8-1.
Other Player Nominees: Emily Hurst (St. Francis), Reece Douglass (Indiana South Bend), Makella Jacobs (Viterbo), Kelsey Lovelace (Calumet St. Joseph).
Other Pitcher Nominees: Lily Strand (Saint Xavier), Ayla Matheny (Calumet St. Joseph).