Horizon League Softball Players of the Week (Mar. 20)

INDIANAPOLIS -- UIC's Lexi Watts has been named player of the week for the second time this season, and Valparaiso's Mackenzie Grossmann has been selected as the pitcher of the week. This is the third consecutive week that a Crusader has won a weekly award.

Lexi Watts / UIC / Sophomore / Center Fielder / Murrieta, Calif.

Watts reached base on 10 of her 16 plate appearances earning eight hits and recording two walks over the course of UIC's four games on the weekend. The sophomore was the only Flame to record a hit in every game and led the team in hits (8), runs (4), on-base percentage (.625), and stolen bases (5).

In UIC's first game versus Bowling Green the center fielder scored the walk-off run and returned a day later to score the eventual game-winning run in their second game against Bowling Green. The lead-off hitter's ability to reach base helped UIC win three of their four games on the weekend.

Mackenzie Grossmann / Valparaiso / Junior / Pitcher / Perry, Mo.

Grossmann earned her sixth and seventh wins on the year for Valparaiso after earning a win pitching in relief versus South Dakota and a complete-game victory over South Dakota State.

The junior entered the game in the fifth inning for the Crusaders and only surrendered one hit in 2.2 innings of work. Grossmann struck out four batters in short work and Valparaiso won in walk-off fashion to earn the win. The pitcher started the following day versus South Dakota State and threw a complete game only allowing one earned run with six strikeouts to pick up her second win in as many days. With the two wins, Grossmann helped Valparaiso improve to a 12-6 record on the season.

Previous player of the week recipients:

Feb. 13- Kayla Wedl, UIC
Feb. 20- Sam Stewart, Valparaiso
Feb. 27- Lexi Watts, UIC
Mar. 6- Carly Trepanier, Valparaiso
Mar. 13- Dani Devlin, Northern Kentucky

Previous pitcher of the week recipients:

Feb. 13- Elaine Heflin, UIC
Feb. 20- Erin Kownacki, Oakland
Feb. 27- Erin Kownacki, Oakland
Mar. 6- No player selected
Mar. 13- Ashlyn Montgomery, Valparaiso