WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Monmouth University softball designated player Kaitie Schumacher (San Diego, Calif./Scripps Ranch) has been named the Northeast Conference Player of the Week, the league office today announced. Schumacher hit .478 (11-for-23) with two doubles, two home runs, eight RBI's and three runs scored in the Hawks' 7-0 week, including a 5-0 mark in NEC play, to help the Hawks stay in the hunt for an NEC Tournament berth.

"Obviously, we're excited and happy for Kaitie, as she has been producing high numbers throughout the season," said Monmouth Head Coach Louie Berndt. "She's been consistent and she's been doing her job, game in and game out. So we're extremely happy with her performance."

Schumacher started the week with a 3-for-4 effort with two home runs, five RBI's and two runs scored at Central Connecticut on Monday, and never looked back. She hit safely in six of seven games. She also had two walk-off, game-winning hits and contributed an RBI double in a three-run seventh to help MU walk off with a victory. As the week progressed, NEC opponents took notice, as Schumacher was walked four times in the final three games against Mount St. Mary's and LIU Brooklyn, including a pair of intentional passes issued by the Blackbirds.

With the game tied and the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh of Game 1 against LIU, the Blackbirds had no choice but to pitch to Schumacher. The sophomore slugger made LIU pay with a line drive to the right center field wall to give the Hawks the walk-off win. Against Mount St. Mary's, Schumacher also had a chance at walk-off heroics and didn't miss, singling up the middle in the eighth inning to end Game 1.

Schumacher also contributed to late-inning heroics against Rider, doubling home the Hawks' first run in a three-run seventh to walk off against the Broncs. Schumacher is a prime candidate for the NEC's Most Improved Player Award this year, having pushed her average from .203, including a .155 mark in NEC games, as a freshman to .391 (.421 NEC) as a sophomore. She's also upped her home run production from five (two NEC) to nine (five NEC) from her freshman to sophomore years. Her RBI total has also nearly doubled, going from 18 to 34 in the same number of games (42). Schumacher currently leads the Hawks with a .391 batting average, .687 slugging percentage and .470 on-base percentage.