ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Southern Illinois University softball team was awarded three of the four weekly awards for the Missouri Valley Conference after a 5-0 week against Missouri State, Missouri, and Bradley.

Emily Williams was named the MVC Player and Newcomer of the Week, while McKenzie Newcomb was awarded the Pitcher of the Week.

This is the first time Williams has received Player of the Week honors and the third time she’s been the Newcomer of the Week, last winning it on March 24. The sophomore hit three home runs with 11 RBI and a .824 slugging percentage during the week.

Williams’ first home run came against Missouri on Wednesday, April 9, in SIU’s 5-3 win against the Tigers. The Louisville, Ky., native followed this up with a grand slam vs. Bradley on Saturday and then a go-ahead, three-run home run on Sunday.

The sophomore is now second in the Valley in home runs (12) and is first in RBI (39).

Newcomb earned her second Pitcher of the Week honors after going 3-0 with two saves across five appearances for Southern Illinois. The senior posted a 1.79 ERA with 18 strikeouts as opposed to just two walks in 15.2 innings pitched.

After getting the win on Tuesday, April 8, against Missouri State, Newcomb picked up her first save as a Saluki at Mizzou on the following day.

Newcomb is now 15-5 with a 1.84 ERA, which ranks second in the conference.

Williams, Newcomb, and the Salukis currently sit in first place in the MVC with a 16-1 league record and 25-15 overall record. Southern will travel to Northern Iowa this weekend for a series in Cedar Falls, which is scheduled to begin on Friday, April 18, at 5 p.m.

Missouri Valley Conference Weekly Award Winners
Player of the Week – Emily Williams, Southern Illinois
Pitcher of the Week – McKenzie Newcomb, Southern Illinois
Freshman of the Week – Hannah Sutton, Murray State
Newcomer of the Week – Emily Williams, Southern Illinois