RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – East Central’s Leah Tigert and Southeastern Oklahoma State’s Mindy McElroy earned the Great American Conference’s Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week honors for the fifth week of play, the conference office announced on Wednesday.
 
GAC SOFTBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Leah Tigert, East Central, INF/OF, Fr., Hinnepin, Okla.
Tiger led the Lady Tigers’ offense during a 5-1 week that included a 3-1 series victory at Southwestern Oklahoma State. In five games, four of which she started, Tigert hit when 9-for-14 at the plate, good for a.643 average. She drove in eight runs and collected three extra-base hits. She concluded her week by producing a go-ahead two-run double with two outs in the top of the seventh inning against the Lady Bulldogs.
 
GAC SOFTBALL PITCHER OF THE WEEK – Mindy McElroy, Southeastern Oklahoma State, RHP, Jr., Ringling, Okla.
McElroy earned a win or save in all four games of the Savage Storm’s sweep of Southern Arkansas. In 18.2 innings of work, she limited the Lady Muleriders to four runs, only two of which were earned. She struck out 10 during the weekend and surrendered only 16 hits.  McElroy tossed a complete game in the second game of the series.
 
NOTABLE NOMINEES
- Beth Johnson, CF, Jr., Arkansas-Monticello (Hit. 583 with four RBI in four-game series against Pittsburg State)
- Courtney Moore, C, Sr., Southeastern Oklahoma State (Hit .500 and threw out all four attempted base stealers)
- Mackenzie Spanko, OF, So., Southern Arkansas (Had three multi-hit games against No. 2 Southeastern Oklahoma State)
 
NOTABLE PITCHING NOMINEES
- Lacey Paulk, RHP, Fr., East Central (went 2-0 inside the circle with nine strikeouts in 10.0 innings of work)