Conference

Kaitie Schumacher, Monmouth

DP
Sophomore

Schumacher had an outstanding week at the plate for the Hawk and earns NEC Player of the Week honors for her efforts. The sophomore started the week with a 3-for-4 effort with two home runs, five RBIs and two runs scored in a critical win over Central Connecticut on Monday, and never looked back. She hit safely in six of seven games for a .478 batting average (11-for-23) with two doubles, two home runs, eight RBIs and three runs scored. She also had two walk-off, game-winning hits and contributed an RBI double in a three-run seventh to help MU walk off with a victory. As the week progressed, NEC opponents took notice as Schumacher was walked four times in the final three games against Mount St. Mary’s and LIU Brooklyn, including a pair of intentional passes issued by the Blackbirds. With the game tied and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh of Game One against LIU, the Blackbirds had no choice but to pitch to Schumacher. The sophomore slugger stepped to the plate and hit a line drive to the right center field wall to give the Hawks the walk-off win. Against Mount St. Mary’s, Schumacher also had a chance at walk-off heroics and didn’t miss, singling up the middle in the eighth inning to end Game 1. The Scripps Ranch, CA native also contributed in the late-innings against Rider doubling home the Hawk’s first run in a three-run seventh to walk off against the Broncos. She currently leads the team with a .391 batting average, .687 slugging percentage and .470 on-base percentage.