Bender and Pippin Named Region 8 Softball Players of the Week

Player of the Week HQ

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Softball) – Lakehawks softball swept yet another week of National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 8 Division II Softball Awards. Molly Bender was named Player of the Week and Darian Pippin was named Pitcher of the Week, both earning this honor for the second time this season.

Molly Bender – Player of the Week

Bender had her best week so far this season last week going 11-for-14 (.786) with two doubles, five runs scored, four RBIs, and four stolen bases. In addition, she had multiple hits in each of their four games.

At Lake-Sumter's first double header of the week against Hillsborough Community College, Bender went 3-for-4 in both games with a double and three runs scored. Against St. Petersburg College, she went 3-for-3 in game one and 2-for-3 in game two with two runs scored and three RBIs.

"I see Molly everyday and it just seems like she is simply having fun out there. Never too series, never way up or way down; just on the field having fun with her friend.

She is just being herself out there and it is pretty impressive," said head coach Jay Miller.

Bender is currently leading the team in batting average (.523), on-base percentage (.553), and hits (23). She is also second for slugging percentage (.795), homeruns (3), and doubles (3).

Darian Pippin – Pitcher of the Week

Pippin had another great week on the mound. With 10.0 innings pitched, she recorded one win with five strikeouts while maintain a 1.40 ERA.

Pippin earned the complete game win against St. Petersburg College on Saturday. She fanned five Titan batters while allowing just one run on one walk and seven hits.

"Darrian continues to work and continues to develop.

Flat out, she wants the ball in her hands and she will compete. As a coach, that is all you can ask for," said Coach Miller.

On the season, Pippin is maintaining a 2.79 ERA in 37.2 innings pitched. She has a 4-2 record with 21 strikeouts.

Up next for the Lakehawks

Bender, Pippin and the Lakehawks will host Polk State College on Thursday, February 23 for a double header at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m.

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