BIG EAST Softball Player of the Week
Tori Meyer, Sr., OF/DP, DePaul (Barrington, Ill./Barrington)
Meyer started all four contests as BIG EAST preseason favorite DePaul went 4-0 to open the 2023 campaign. On the weekend, the senior outfielder led the Blue Demons with six hits and five RBI, going 6-for-13 (.432) while scoring four runs. Hitting from the top of the order, Meyer registered her first home run of the season as DePaul narrowly defeated Bowling Green, 2-1. She was the difference maker in an 8-7 victory over Saint Louis, registering a walk off two-RBI single to keep the Blue Demons undefeated. In the field, Meyer logged 10 putouts with one assist for a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.
BIG EAST Softball Pitcher of the Week
Kat Gallant, Fr., P, Villanova (Monroe, Conn./Masuk)
Gallant made her collegiate debut on Saturday, hurling a complete game as Villanova defeated Texas State, 4-2. The rookie struck out four while allowing just six hits and a pair of unearned runs. The Connecticut product appeared again on Sunday, throwing part of a relief inning as the Wildcats defeated Kent State, 13-5. Gallant concluded the opening weekend with a 0.00 ERA.
BIG EAST Softball Freshman of the Week
Katie Whittaker, Fr., C/UT, St. John’s (San Marcos, Calif./San Marcos)
Whittaker made two starts on three appearances to begin her collegiate career, hitting .800 in five at-bats. The rookie exploded on Sunday registering two homeruns, including a grand slam as, the Red Storm dominated Southern, 8-0. On the day, Whittaker logged five RBI off three hits with homers coming in the third and seventh inning. She topped the weekend off with 11 putouts, fielding 1.000.
BIG EAST Softball Weekly Honor Roll
Kaylee Gross, RS-So., OF, Butler (Indianapolis, Ind/Decatur Central)
Gross started all six contests this weekend, hitting .417 with two RBI. She singled in an essential run in Butler's lone victory over Marshal (7-6). In a 4-6 loss to Portland State, Gross stole three bases with two singles and a pair of runs scored.
Kailey Wilson, Gr., INF, Creighton (Aurora, Colo./Eaglecrest)
The reigning BIG EAST Player of the Year made four starts, going 6-for-12 (.500) with a homerun, five RBI, and four doubles. She was essential in the Bluejays’ season-opening victory over Detroit Mercy, going 3-for-4 with a pair of ground-rule doubles and an RBI in the 4-3 win.
Brenna Smith, Sr., P, DePaul (Riverside Calif./Martin Luther King)
Smith was credited with a victory and a save over 9.2 innings of work as DePaul opened its season with four wins at home. The senior tossed all eight innings against Evansville, retiring nine straight batters in a 7-5 extra-inning victory. Against Bowling Green, Smith appeared in the sixth inning, retiring five batters with two strikeouts to secure a 2-1 win.
Tess Cites, Jr., OF, Villanova (Horseheads, N.Y./Horseheads)
Cites started all five games as Villanova went 3-2 to open the season. The lead-off hitter logged seven hits (.389), five runs, and four RBI as the Wildcats defeated Kent State (3-0, 13-5) and Texas State (4-2) in San Marcos.