Webster, Blackburn Student-Athletes Dominate Player of the Week Selections for March 14-20

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) has announced the spring sports players of the week for the week of March 14-20.

BASEBALL - PITCHER
Webster University's David Mueller, a junior from Webster Groves, Mo. (Westminster Christian Academy), has been named the Diamond Sports SLIAC Baseball Pitcher of the Week for the week of March 14-20. It marks the second consecutive week that he has earned the honor.

Mueller, a 6-4 right-handed pitcher, struck out five batters and allowed just one run on three hits in 8.0 complete innings of work. He held a solid Concordia University (Ill.) squad at bay for eight innings until Webster's rally in the bottom of the ninth that gave them the victory. Mueller is 2-0 on the season with a 1.54 earned run average.

SOFTBALL - PITCHER
Webster University's Ashley Meagher, a sophomore from Dupo, Ill., has been named the SLIAC Softball Pitcher of the Week for the week of March 14-20.

Meagher, a 5-5 right-handed pitcher, entered one game in relief and helped the Gorloks come away with a 12-6 victory versus nationally ranked No. 19 Coe College. Meagher took the mound in the fifth inning with one out and runners on first and second, after Coe had just scored four runs to take a 6-4 lead. She struck out the first two batters she faced to end the threat.

Webster rallied in the bottom of the fifth inning to take the lead, while Meagher allowed only one base runner on a Gorlok error in the final two innings to pick up the win. It marked Meagher's sixth appearance this season and her second win.

SOFTBALL - HITTER
Blackburn College's Kariann Hill, a senior from Fox Lake, Ill. (Grant), has been named the SLIAC Softball Hitter of the Week for the week of March 14-20.

Hill, a third baseman, batted .643 in four games played last week, while posting a 1.286 slugging percentage. She tallied a total of nine hits in 14 at-bats, while also recording eight runs score, six RBI, four doubles, one triple and one homerun. She also reached base on balls one time and recorded zero strikeouts.

Hill was 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored, one double and one stolen base in a 12-8 loss to Illinois College in game one of a double header. She then went 3-for-4 with three RBI, two runs scored, two doubles and one triple as the Beavers won game two 11-3.

Hill hit 2-for-3 with three RBI, one run scored and one home run in Blackburn's 4-3 win versus Wartburg College. She added two hits, including one double in game two of the double header as Blackburn completed the sweep with an 11-3 win.

MEN'S TENNIS
Webster University's Diego Alarcon, a sophomore from Quito, Ecuador (American School), has been named the SLIAC Men's Tennis Player of the Week for the week of March 14-20.

Alarcon went 2-1 at #2 singles and #1 doubles as Webster posted a 2-1 record for the week. After starting the week with a tough loss to NCAA Division II power University of Missouri-St. Louis, Alarcon posted a 6-0, 6-0 victory in singles play and an 8-5 victory in doubles play against Lindenwood University-Belleville. Alarcon then won 6-2, 6-2 at #2 singles and 8-5 at #1 doubles to help the Gorloks to their first-ever victory over NAIA opponent Missouri Baptist University.

WOMEN'S TENNIS
Blackburn College's Amanda Orzechowski, a junior from Bremen, Ill., has been named the SLIAC Women's Tennis Player of the Week for the week of March 14-20.

Orzechowski posted a 1-1 record at #2 singles and a 2-0 record in doubles play as Blackburn went 1-1 on the week. She helped her team to an 8-1 victory versus Eureka College with a 6-3, 6-1 win at #2 singles against Eureka's Amanda Coutre. She also partnered with Maggie Sheraden to win 8-5 at #1 doubles against the Red Devils.

Orzechowski battled to a three-set loss (7-6 (6), 3-6, 2-6) in singles play in a 5-4 loss to non-conference opponent Maryville University (Mo.). She did pair with Kinsey Hilliard to win 8-3 at #2 doubles against Maryville.