KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State freshman Alexis Kelsey has been named the MIAA/AstroTurf Softball Hitter of the Week while senior Kendle Schieber earned Co-Pitcher of the Week honors, as announced by the league office Tuesday.

Kelsey opened here collegiate career with a stellar weekend at the Arkansas-Monticello 8-State Classic in Bentonville, Ark., crushing four home runs while driving in ten RBI and helping the Bearcats to a 4-0 record. The first baseman recorded hits in seven of her 12 at bats, clubbing five extra-base hits and accumulating a staggering .583/.688/1.667 slash line. She scored eight runs, tallied 20 total bases and drew four walks over the four games.

After driving a two-run double to center in her first action as a Bearcat against Rockhurst on Friday, the freshman crushed her first home run against Southern Nazarene, a deep shot to left. Kelsey followed with a three home run day Saturday, sending a pair of shots over the fence against Upper Iowa, tying the school record for deep shots in a single game. She drove in seven runs and scored four times in two games Saturday.

Schieber picked up two complete game victories in two starts and recorded saves in the other two contests last weekend, finishing with 15 strikeouts in 17 innings pitched. The pitcher recorded a WHIP of 1.06, surrendering just 17 hits and one walk. Schieber held Rockhurst to three runs on six hits while striking out eight Hawk batters in the season opener Friday. In two relief appearances, the senior gave up two hits while striking out four batters across three innings.

The Bearcats will return to the diamond Friday, Feb. 19 when they head to Rochester, Minn. for the NSIC/MIAA Crossover. First pitch against Northern State is scheduled for 9 a.m. before a 3 p.m. meeting with Upper Iowa.

— Northwest Athletics —