VanVleet named IIAC Pitcher of the Week, Guessford recognized by NFCA

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Simpson's Abbie VanVleet went 3-0 and tossed a one-hitter against Coe to lead the Storm to a 4-0 mark last week, earning Iowa Conference Pitcher of the Week honors for the period ending Sunday, April 17, the league office announced Tuesday.

The senior from Indianola posted a 1.83 ERA in 15 1/3 innings of work to win Pitcher of the Week honors for the second time this season and fifth time in her career. The Storm swept Coe on April 13 and took two from Loras on April 16.

VanVleet's most impressive outing of the week was her first. She carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning in the opener against Coe and drove in the decisive run with her bat in a 3-0 win. In all she gave up one hit, struck out three and walked two in the complete-game shutout. She earned the win in relief in game two, giving up five hits and no runs over the final two innings of Simpson's 5-4 win.

She got the win in Simpson's 11-3, six-inning triumph over Loras, allowing one run off three hits in 5 1/3 innings. She also made a relief appearance in the Storm's 8-7 win in game two but didn't factor into the decision.

As a starter, VanVleet went 2-0 with a 0.57 ERA in 12 1/3 innings.

Guessford recognized by the NFCA

Senior first baseman Rachel Guessford received mention as one of the "other top performances" in the nation last week by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). 

The power-hitting right-hander went 6-for-15 at the plate with three home runs and eight RBIs last week. She hit the game-winning home run in the seventh inning of the Storm's 5-4 win over Coe and went deep twice in the 8-7 win at Loras.

Guessford's 10 home runs lead the Iowa Conference as she now has 20 for her career.

Messiah first baseman Erin Cressman was the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division III National Player of the Week and St. John Fisher's Lindsey Thayer was the Pitcher of the Week.