Lenoir-Rhyne's Rackard and Newberry's Chestnut Named South Atlantic Conference Varsity Gems Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week

ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – Lenoir-Rhyne's Katelyn Rackard was selected as the South Atlantic Conference Varsity Gems Softball Player of the Week, while Newberry's Olivia Chestnut was named the South Atlantic Conference Varsity Gems Softball Pitcher of the Week for games played during week nine of the 2023 season, the Conference office announced today. 

Rackard, a sophomore from Lexington, N.C., had four straight multi-hit games including a pair of three hit games against UVA Wise. She hit .769 this week with three homeruns, six runs scored, and six RBIs.

Chestnut, a junior from Mount Dora, Fla., posted two complete game victories in two starts. In the 13 total innings that she pitched, Chestnut gave up just five hits and had 19 combined strike outs. She had 14 strike outs in a 3-2 extra inning win against Mars Hill and gave up just two earned runs. Chestnut had an ERA of 1.08 on the week. 

2023 SAC Varsity Gems Softball Players of the Week

Player of the Week
Feb. 7 – Kayson Boatner, Anderson

Feb. 14 – McKenzie Henry, Lincoln Memorial

Feb. 21 – Savanna Balderston, Catawba

Feb. 28 – Chloe Freischmidt, Tusculum

March 7 – Hannah Reeves, Wingate

March 14 – Macauley Bailey, Carson-Newman

March 21 – Macauley Bailey, Carson-Newman

March 28 – Savanna Brooks, Wingate

April 4 – Katelyn Rackard, Lenoir-Rhyne

Pitcher of the Week
Feb. 7 – Lauren Rakes, Lenoir-Rhyne

Feb. 14 – Syerra Rogers, Carson-Newman

Feb. 21 – Jenae Fedewa, Coker

Feb. 28 – Raechel Cutcher, Wingate

March 7 – Alyssa Poston, Mars Hill

March 14 – Morgan Beeler, Lenoir-Rhyne

March 21 – Morgan Beeler, Lenoir-Rhyne

March 28 – Morgan Beeler, Lenoir-Rhyne

April 4 – Olivia Chestnut, Newberry

Varsity Gems is an official corporate partner of the South Atlantic Conference and title sponsor of the Conference's Player of the Week awards program.

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